# Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards

The Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards (Burmese: စာပေဗိမာန် စာပဒေသာ ဆုများ) are annual literary awards given in Burma by the Sarpay Beikman (Palace of Literature), a department of the Ministry of Information. They are awarded for unpublished manuscripts in various fiction and non-fiction categories. Sarpay Beikman publishes the winning entries, as well as giving a financial prize. The awards complement the Burma National Literature Award and the privately sponsored Sayawun Tin Shwe Award, Pakokku U Ohn Pe literary award, Thuta Swesone literary award and Tun Foundation award.

## Background

The Burmese Translation Society began to present the Sarpay Beikman Awards (K. 1000) in 1949. They were renamed the Literary Fine Art Awards in 1962 and the National Literary Awards in 1965. The awards were presented to authors who submitted manuscripts in categories such novel, translation, general literature, general knowledge, short story, poems, and dramas. The prizes were awarded annually, and the manuscripts published. Entries had to comply with five general principles: the works must support or at least agree with the ruling party aims, foster Burmese culture, promote patriotism, help build character and advance ideas and contribute useful knowledge. A first, second and third prize was awarded in each category where there were suitable entries, which was not always the case.
From 1970 a new system was started. Unpublished works were submitted in competition for the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards. However, the National Literary Awards, one per category, were selected from books that had been published in the previous year. Although 12 awards could be given, the selection committee usually chose fewer, since it is often not possible to find a publication that meets the guidelines, particularly in the "novel" category. In recent years the genres covered by Sarpay Beikman Manuscript and National Literary Awards have been gradually extended and the number of awards increased. Relatively few translators are honored. In 2008 no translation prize was given at all. This may in part be due to financial constraints, in part to censorship and interference in what is translated by the military regime.

## Awards by year
### 1955 awards

* Saya Zawgyi, Variety in literature category, for Thakin Kodaw Hmaing htika
* Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay, Mone Ywa Mahu (Not Out of Hate)

### 1957 awards

* Ludu U Hla Htaung hnint lutha (ထောင်နှင့်လူသား) - Prison and Man

### 1959 awards

* Tin Moe, Poetry: Hpan Mee Ain (The Lantern)

### 1961 awards

* Khin Hnin Yu, Kyemon Yeik Thwin Wuttu-to Myar ( ကြေးမုံရိပ်သွင် ဝတ္ထုတိုများ) Mirror Image-Like Short Stories

### 1963 awards

* Sayawun Tin Shwe, General Knowledge (literature)
* Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay, Twe Ta Saint Saint (A Slow Stream of Thoughts and Burmese Medicine Tales)

### 1964 awards

* Ludu Daw Amar, Literature on Burmese Culture and Arts: Pyithu chit thaw anupyinnya themya - Artistes that People Loved 1964

### 1990 awards

The winner of the 1990 awards were announced on November 22, 1991: In some cases no prize was awarded (e.g. no first prize, but a second or third prize), The winners were:
| Category | Winners |
| Novels | 2nd prize: In-twe Pwe-lyet Ashar-hwet by Pho Kyawt Kho 3rd: Than-yaw-zin-hsu by Ma Aye Nyein |
| Short Stories | 2nd: Kyaung-gin Tha-moddayar hnint Maha Myintmo by Maung Yint Mar (Kyaunggon) 3rd: Tingyi Ta-wan Byaing Ta-wan by Nyo Nyo Yin (Daik-U) |
| Belles Letters [sic] | 2nd: Madu Thadda Shwedaung Kyawswa Bweya Yokthay Minthameegyi U Phu Nyo ei Bawa Zatkyaung by Shezaung Tin Swe |
| Translation | 1st: The three short stories of W. Somerset Maugham, trans. by U Ba Than (AB). |
| Children's literature | 1st: Waihinsan Meikswemyar by Aung Naing (Tekkatho). 2nd: Ayemyathaw Ayeik by Aung Thuyein (Pale). 3rd: Mwe-may thee-char Yadana hnint Achar Wutthu-domyar by Maung Tha Hmwe |
| Youth literature | 1st: Lu-nge Lan-hnyun by Dr. Kyaw Sein 2nd: Ywetthit Thabye hnint Achar Lu-nge Wutthudomyar by Min Chan Mon 3rd: Yemon Yadana by Maung Hsanda (Lewe). |
| Myanmar culture and fine arts | 1st: Alinga Kyaw-swa U San Kho ei Zar-timan Lingarmyar hnint Mintharthon Zathtoksarmyar by Soe Wai 2nd: Myanma Sinyok-cho Anupyinnyar by Maung Yee Soe (Kyaukse) 3rd: Myanma Oh by Htan Hlaing |
| General knowledge (arts) | 2nd: Myanma Ein-thu Myanma-mu by U Aye Cho (MA). |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | 2nd: Myanma Yadana Kyun-shwewar by San Win (Mann). 3rd: Nay-ein-ta-lon-daw Hpyit-aung Hsauk-mai by Chan Aye Maung |
| Plays | no awards made. |
| Political literature | no awards made. |

### 2000 awards

Winners of the 2000 awards were announced on 25 November 2001. They were:
| Genre | Winners |
| Novels | 2nd: Myo Win Chit for Sabe-cherry-thet-the-ti-ywae |
| Collected short stories | 1st: Nay Myo Thant for Tharafi-kyaing-hlaing-thin-pa-de-win-mya-ye-mye 2nd: Maung Sanda (Lewe) for Ame-yin-ngwe-hnin-achar wut-htu-to-myar 3rd: Twin Gyi Win Maung for Nga-taw-nga-lone |
| Collected poems | 1st: Salin Phone Kyaw for Mitta-yeik-nan-pan-yaung-zone-kabya-myar 2nd: Yenatha Maung Kyaw Nyunt for Yin-de-ka-thitsa-hnin-achar-kabya-myar |
| General knowledge (arts) | 1st: Dr Maung Maung Soe for Ze-gwet-see-pwa-yay-hnin-naing-gan-win-ngwe 2nd: Tkkatho Ko Maung for Dagon Saya Tin-e-bawa-hnin-anu-pinnya |
| General knowledge (science and applied science), | 1st: Dr Tin Thein (Pathein University) for Lutha-asa-Myanma-ka 2nd: Tun Aung Kyaw for Myanmar-naing-gan-mye-athone-cha-hmu-hnin-hnase-tarazu 3rd: Tint Lwin Swe for Nga-lyin-hnin-ngalyin-bay-andaye-chaw-cha-ye |
| sar-padetha | 1st: Maung Moe Yan for chin-dwin-myit-e-tha-maing-ta-chet-pe-tin-than 2nd" Thet Lwin for Bagan-anauk-kha-ye-takhauk 3rd>Maung Chit (MA) for See-thwin-nyo-yit-meza-myit |
| Myanmar Culture and Art | 1st: Htan Hlaing for She-haung-Myanma-oo-myo-daw 2nd: Ko Ko (research) for Yadanapon-Mandalay-namyo-pya-thet-hnin-asin-ala |
| Children's literature | 1st: Maung Tha Hmwe for Pyu-pyu-hmwe-hmwe-pan-kalay-hnin-achar Short Stories 2nd>Hsu Latt Tun for Nyit Moe-hnin-achar-sarsu-mya 3rd: Dr Ko Ko Kyaing for Kalay-mya-atwet-swe-sone-kyan |
| Youth literature | 1st: Maung Khaing Khant for Pan-do-e-dai-ya-yi. |
| Translation, | 1st: Dr Nyunt Shwe Dai-no-saw-athi-nyan |
| Plays | No winner |
| Politics | No winner |

### 2003 awards

The 2003 award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Yangon on 12 December 2004. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein opened his address by saying "at a time when the State is doing all it can to build up a peaceful, modern and developed nation, it is also striving not only for physical infrastructural development of the country but also for enhancement of national literature for mental development of the people". Secretary-1 presented the Life-long National Literary Award to writer U Htay Maung. Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards given for works submitted in 2003 were:
| Category | Presenter | Author |
| Novel | Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe | Aung Lin Lat (Okkala) |
| Selected short story | Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe | Myaylat Min Lwin |
| Selected poem | Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan | Kyaw Zaw Lin |
| General knowledge (arts) | Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan | Reporter Thaung Nyunt (Pyapon) |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa | Maung Maung Myint Thein |
| Belles-letters | Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa | Myoma Myint Kywe |
| Myanma culture and arts literature | Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo | Shin Htwe Mei (Manoktha) |
| Child literature | Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo | Theikpan Soe Myint Naing |
| Youth literature | Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo | Aung Than Oo (2nd prize) |

### 2005 awards

Awards for 2005 were presented at a ceremony at Nay Pyi Taw city hall on 30 January 2007. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein addressed the attendees. The Secretary-1 gave the Lifetime Achievement National Literary Award for 2005 to Daw Yin Yin (Saw Monnyin) and presented nine other National Literary prizes in different categories. Winners of the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript awards were:
| Category | Presenter | Author |
| Novel | Commander Brig-Gen Wai Lwin | Thein Zaw (Shweli Oo) (third prize) |
| Collected short stories | Commander Brig-Gen Wai Lwin | Myaylat Min Lwin |
| Collected poems | Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan | Maung Pyae Hlaing (Thandwe) |
| General knowledge (arts) | Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin | Tin Tun Oo (Culture) |
| General knowledge (Science and Applied Science) | Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut | Naing Shwe Moe |
| Belles-letters | Chief Justice U Aung Toe | Tin Myint |
| Culture and fine arts literature | Attorney-General U Aye Maung | Aung Nyein Chan |
| Child literature | Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint | Nay Soe Thaw |
| Play | Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint | Zin Min (Thameinhtaw) |
| Translation | Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint | Nyunt Shwe |
No manuscript won an award the political literary genre.

### 2007 awards

The 2007 awards were given out at a ceremony on 28 December 2008 at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw. Later the Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan hosted a dinner in honor of the life-time achievement literary award and Sarpay Beikman manuscript award winners for 2007 at the Shwenantaw Hotel of Nay Pyi Taw. Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi attended the dinner. First prize winners were:
| Category | Presenter | Author |
| Novel | Minister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe Thein | Thu Theim |
| Collective short stories | Minister for Industry-2 Vice-Admiral Soe Thein | Thwe Htar Nyo (Thakkala) |
| Collective poems | Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint | Aye Kyi Sein |
| General knowledge (arts) | Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint | Htin Lin Kyaw |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi | Aung Soe (Agriculture-107) |
| Belles letter | Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi | Aung Soe |
| Myanmar culture and fine arts | Chief Justice U Aung Toe | Ma Aye Chan (Myanmarsar) |
| Child literature | Chief Justice U Aung Toe | Lu Mon (Pakokku) |
| Youth literature | Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint | Maung Kyi Thant |
| Translation | Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint | U Aung Soe Oo |
| Drama literature | Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint | Zin Min (Thameinhtaw) (2nd prize) |

### 2008 awards

The 2008 awards were presented at a ceremony at the Ministry of Information on 31 December 2009. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo addressed the attendees. He presented the Life-Time Achievement National Literary Award to doyen literati Sayagyi Dr Kyaw Sein. First prize winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards were:
| Category | Presenter | Author |
| Novel | Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo | Nay Myo Thant |
| Collected short stories | Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win | Myelat Min Lwin |
| Collected poems | Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint | Maung Han Tint (Pinlebu) |
| General knowledge (arts) | Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo | Than Tun (Mawlamyine) |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint | Lu Lay (Delta) |
| Belle-letters | Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint | Thaung Nyunt Thit |
| Myanmar culture and fine arts literature | Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein | Ma Aye Chan (Myanmarsar) |
| Child literature | Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint | Min Naing Lay (Lanmadaw) |
| Youth literature | Chief Justice U Aung Toe | Khin La Pyae Wun |
| Drama literature | Attorney-General U Aye Maung | Zin Min (Thameinhtaw) |

### 2009 awards

The 2009 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held in the hall of the Ministry of Information on 31 December 2010. The attendees heard an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2009 included:
| Category | Presenter | Winners |
| Novel | Minister for Information U Kyaw Hsan | Thu Thein Ko Yaw (Economics) Thein Zaw (ShweliOo). |
| Selected Short Stories | Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win | Maung Cheint Myay Latt Min Lwin Khin La Pyae Win |
| Selected poems | Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win | Zaw Myo Han (Ngathainggyoung) Maung Han Tint (Pinlebu) Hlaing Htay Aung (Shwetada). |
| General knowledge (arts) | Minister for Mines U Ohn Myint | Maung Yin Hlaing (Pyinmamyaing) Dr Cho Cho Tint (Myanmarsar) Shwe Hintha (University of Mandalay) |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Minister for Mines U Ohn Myin | Thaung Nyunt Thit Aung Soe (Agriculture/107) Pho Swe (Timber Enterprise). |
| Belle-letter | Minister for Sports Thura U Aye Myint | (2nd) Nay Myo Nwe |
| Myanma Culture and Fine Arts | Minister for Sports Thura U Aye Myint | Myat Wai Toe (University of Education) U Thaung Tun Htoo Htoo Win. |
| Child literature | Minister for Religious Affairs Thura U Myint Maung | Kanbalu Khin Maung Swe Khin Maung Myint (Shwe Hse Myay) Ma Swe Than |
| Youth literature | Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi | Nay Myo Thant Thwe Htar Nyo (Thetkala) Wutyee Khin (Bago). |
| Drama | Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board U Kyaw Thu | Nyein Min Maung Sanda (Lewe) Tin Htun Oo (Culture). |
| Political literature | Deputy Minister for Social Welfare and Relief and Resettlement U Kyaw Myint | (2nd) Myint Soe (Na-Ta- La) |
| Translation | Deputy Minister for Social Welfare and Relief and Resettlement U Kyaw Myint | Dr Nyunt Shwe (Taunggyi) |

### 2012 awards

The 2012 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre, Yangon on 3 December 2013. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2012 were:
| Category | Winners |
| Novel | Soe Myint Maung (Tharawaw) Thwet Htar Nyo Thu Thein |
| Selected Short Stories | Maung Nay Chi (Pyay) Thaung Myint Oo (Kunchankone) Lieutenant Lwin Bo Bo Aung |
| Selected poems | Khin Phone Kyi (Mongpun) Kaung Nyunt Wai (Yezagyo) Myat Phone (Tatkon) |
| General knowledge (arts) | U Tun Lwin (Meiktila) Maung Nwe Than |
| General knowledge | Aung Soe (Agriculture-107) Thaung Nyunt Thit |
| Belle-letter | Dr Maung Maung Min Shin Aung (Twantay) Maung Yin Hlaing (Pyinma Myaing) |
| Myanma Culture and Fine Arts | Myat Wai Toe (Institute of Education) Hlaing Win Swe U Ye Dwe (Amyint Thabin). |
| Child literature | Zaw Myo Han (Ngathaingchaung) Shwe Yin Hnit Kantbalu KhinMaung Swe |
| Youth literature | Kyunsinmyay Saw Khet |
| Drama | Zin Min (Thamein Htaw) Maung Soe Htaik (Thonze) |
| Translation | Tin Aung Chit |

### 2013 awards

The 2013 Life-time Achievement for National Literary Award, National Literary Award and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award presentation ceremony was held at the National Theatre, Yangon on 22 November 2014. Winners of Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards for 2013 were:
| Category | Winners |
| Novel | Khin Lei Lei Chit (Myan/Gon) Soe Myint Maung (Tharawaw) Lieutenant Lwin Bo Bo Aung |
| Selected Short Stories | Thuti Awba (Hsinbaungwe) Kan Myint Maw Saw Khet |
| Selected poems | Zaw Myo Han Maung Kyi Nwe Min Thway Nge (Zigon) |
| General knowledge (arts) | Yin Yin Maung (Archaeology) Ko Yaw (Economics) Khin Hnin Yi (YU) |
| General knowledge (science and applied science) | Dr Maung Phyay science writer Ko Ko Aung |
| Belle-letter | Min Shin Aung (Twantay) Maung Yin Hlaing (Pyinmamyaing) |
| Myanma Culture and Fine Arts | Dr Tint Lwin Myat Wai Toe (University of Education) |
| Child literature | Kanbalu Khin Maung Swe Yutyikhin (Bago) Zaw Myo Han (Ngathainggyoung) |
| Youth literature | Myint Soe (Na Ta La) |
| English | U Ye Dway |
| Translation | Tin Maung Than (Ywama) |