Monday, August 15, 2011

Philosopher and writer Nandar Thein Zan dies

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Monday, 15 August 2011 19:37 Salai Han Thar San

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Writer Nandar Thein Zan died of lung disease at Rangoon General Hospital on Sunday evening. He was 65.

He worked in the Rangoon University Philosophy Department as a professor until his death.

His remains will be buried at Yeway cemetery on Thursday.

Nanda Thein Zan
“We must say this is a big loss for the Burmese literary circle because he could write philosophy and Burmese thought well in our community,” Pyithu Khit (People’s Age) journal editor Maung Wun Tha told Mizzima. “His work had a lot of influence on young people during the 1980s and 1990s.”

His first printed article was “Memory and Thought” written using the pen name “Thein Zan” and appeared in the November 1963 issue of Thint Bawa magazine.

He wrote a Master’s degree thesis in 1969 entitled, “Meaning and Truth of Life.”

He later changed his pen name to “Nandar Thein Zan” as there was another writer using the name “Thein Zan.” He wrote many articles and books on philosophy and the Buddhist religion up until his death.

“Saya (master) was good at talk shows, using stories, and making subjects understandable to the layman,” said Maung Wun Tha, noting that he was not aggressive or bossy and he had not heard anything bad said about him.

His most famous work includes “Crossing the Tough Road” and “Travelling with good friends.” The former publication consisted of a series of lectures he delivered at the Workers’ College Philosophy Association under the title “Thoughts for the journey in life” in 1978.

Nandar Thein Zan was born to father Nyi Kun and mother Han Tin on February 21, 1947, in Paungde, Bago Region. He was the youngest of three siblings.

He studied at Rangoon University, majoring in philosophy, obtaining a BA in 1966 and a Master’s in 1968.

He first worked as a tutor in the Rangoon University Philosophy Department in 1970 and worked later in the Mawlamyine University, Dawei College, Pathein Degree College as a tutor, department head and lecturer in the Philosophy Department.

He was promoted to assistant lecturer at Rangoon University in 1980 and promoted again to lecturer in 1988. He then became Associate Professor in 1997 and became Professor in 2003 and worked in this position until his death.

The military regime conferred on him the title, Maha Thaddama Zawtika Daza on April 1, 2004.

He had no children and is survived by his wife Khin Mar Mar.

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