Htoo Ein Thin

Infobox Person
name= Htoo Ein Thin
caption= Htoo Ein Thin
dead=dead
birth_date=birth date|1963|7|1|df=y
birth_place=Pathein, Ayeyarwady Division, Myanmar
death_date= death date and age|2004|8|14|1963|7|1|df=y
death_place=Yangon, Myanmar

Htoo Ein Thin ( _my. ထူးအိမ်သင်; 1 July 1963 - 14 August 2004) (also spelled Htoo Eain Thin) was one of the most popular and respected Burmese singer-songwriters. He brought a new style of Burmese music in mid-1980s,cite journal | url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=2710 | title=Burmese Pop Music: Identity in Transition | author=Min Zin | date=2002-09-01 | publisher=Irrawaddy News] and was popular till his death in 2004. He released 14 solo albums in his 18-year career.cite news | title=With Love: a final farewell to the legendary Htoo Ein Thin | url=http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/myanmartimes/no280/MyanmarTimes14-280/t002.htm | author=Kyaw Kyaw Tun | publisher=The Myanmar Times | date=2005-08-22] His songs remain Burmese standards and his premature death is still mourned by millions of fans.

Background

Htoo Ein Thin was born Kyaw Myint Lwin in Pathein in the Irrawaddy delta to a Bamar father (Tun Myint) and a Mon mother (Mya Yin).cite web | url=http://www.htooeainthin.com/profile.php | title=Htoo Ein Thin Profile | accessdate=2008-08-03] He attended Pathein Regional College, and graduated with a degree in botany from University of Mawlamyaing in 1984. After graduation, he studied formal music education under a well known music instructor Aung Soe (KC Francis). Htoo Ein Thin played the guitar, the piano, the harmonica and the drums.

Musical career

Htoo Ein Thin is widely remembered for his heart-felt songs with his own original music and lyrics. Being an "original" songwriter means a lot in Myanmar. When he released his first album "Naryi Baw Mha Myet-Yay Zet Mya" (Tears on the Clock) in 1986, the Burmese pop music scene was (and still to a lesser extent is) dominated by Burmese covers of Western pop and country music--known locally as "copies".

To be sure, Htoo Ein Thin's musical style was heavily influenced by Western jazz, rock-and-roll and pop music. Some critics complained that his sound was still too "derivative" or "emulative", comparing his compositions and arrangements to those of the Bee Gees or the Beatles. But it was his ability to bring Burmese soulfulness (some would say wailing quality) to his lyrics and combine it with Western-fused arrangements that proved ever so popular with generations of Burmese--male and female alike. His style was unique, even compared to that of other contemporary singer-songwriters like Soe Lwin Lwin and Kaiser. Htoo Ein Thin's lyrics and arrangements are arguably less edgy than Soe Lwin Lwin's and more sophisticated than Kaiser's.

Like most Burmese songs, many of his songs are about love and heart-ache, only areas that could safely pass through draconian Burmese media censors, which did not (and still don't) tolerate even a hint of social commentary.cite journal | title=And the Band Played On | url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=2707 | date=2002-09-01 | author=Aung Zaw | publisher=The Irrawaddy] His 1991 ode "Yazawin Mya Ye Thado-Thami" (The Bride of History) raised a few eye brows. Although the song ostensibly is about Myanmar's main artery Irrawaddy river, many took it to be as an implicit reference to Aung San Suu Kyi. He was banned from performing the song in his concerts.

Within the confines of Burmese censors, one topic he wrote extensively about was the mother's love, the relationship between the mother and the son, and a son's regrets. He devoted an entire album "A-May" (Mother) to this topic. The song "A-May Ein" (Mother's House) continues to resonate deeply with many Burmese home and especially, abroad.

His success with "Naryi" was followed by a string of successful albums, culminating in "Atta Bon Saung Khe Mya", and "Akyinna Einmet", both released in 1991.cite web | url=http://www.htooeainthin.com/songs.php | title=Htoo Ein Thin's Songs | accessdate=2008-08-03] His songs from this early era are still very popular today. In particular, "Mei-Lai-Taw" (Just Forget It), "Min-Ma-Shi-De-Nauk" (Since You've Been Gone) and "Hsway-De" (Missing You) remain standards to this day. His success waned in later albums though he remained popular. He even resorted to covering a few Western songs--something that did not sit well with some of his purist fans. His last albums--in particular the posthumous "Chit-Chin Ah-Phyint" (With Love)--saw a return to his musical roots that captivated generations of Burmese.

Htoo Ein Thin also composed many commercially successful songs for other singers. A successful singer, Aung Yin has publicly acknowledged that he owes his success to his "saya" (teacher) Htoo Ein Thin. Hayma Ne Win, a popular female singer, has covered many of Htoo Ein Thin's popular songs.

Premature death

Htoo Ein Thin died suddenly in 2004 of unknown/unconfirmed cause. He was survived by his wife, Thwè Thwè Htwe, and daughter, Mi Kun Htaw.

Album discography

Htoo Ein Thin released 15 solo albums.

* "Naryi Baw Mha Myet-Yay Zet Mya" (1986)
* "Mhaw Saya Einmet" (1988)
* "Thet Nyein" (1989)
* "Atta Bon Saung Khe Mya" (1991)
* "Akyinna Einmet" (1991)
* "A-Yin A-Taing" (1991)
* "Zaga Lon Ma-Shi-De Kaungkin" (1995)
* "Htoo Ein Thin Unplugged Live" (1996)
* "Myo-Pya La-Yaung Tan-Chin" (1996)
* "Win-Yo-Zun Mi" (1997)
* "A-May (Tho) A-Kywin-Me Metta-Daw Thi-Chin" (1997)
* "A-Mhat-Ta-Ya Dan-Ya Thi-Chin Mya" (1999)
* "A-Sein Yaung Yet-Swe Mya" (2001)
* "Ta-Nei Za A-Lwe Mya" (2003)
* "Chit-Chin Ah-Phyint" (2005)
* "Thi-Chin Kway Gyan" (unreleased)

References

External links

* [http://www.htooeainthin.com Official site]