Recent Research in Myanmar: Bagan sculpture and art

For SEAMEO SPAFA's first SESH of the 2022 year, which was broadcast live on SPAFA's Facebook page ( / seameo.spafa ) and on Zoom on 28 January at 10.30 am (BKK time), we spoke to two young scholars from Myanmar, Pwint Phyu Maung and Su Latt Win, who shared with us their recent work on the art and sculpture of the Bagan period. Both Pwint Phyu Maung and Su Latt Win are alumni from SOAS and recipients of the Alphawood Scholarship and joined us from Myanmar via video link.
Our first speaker, Pwint Phyu Maung, gave a presentation titled 'The Reflections Of Pyinsaloha (Five Metals Casting) in Bagan And Successive Periods". In her presentation, she introduced the concept of Pyinsaloha, a Sanskrit term meaning five metals, which refers to an alloy of gold, copper, silver, iron and zinc and a casting technique that originated in India.
The second speaker, Su Latt Win, currently works at the Zaykabar Museum, a private museum in Yangon. In her talk, "Reflecting on an unusual depiction of the Birth of the Buddha from 12th century Bagan", she presented an unusual scene from the 12th century Kubyauk-nge Temple in Bagan depicting the nativity of the Buddha.
The SESH concluded with a short question and answer session. SEAMEO SPAFA would like to thank our speakers for sharing their knowledge on Bagan art and sculpture.
*To learn more about this SPAFA SESH and other SESHes, visit: www.seameo-spa...