RENOWNED author and archaeologist U Tun Yi (Tun Yi – Archaeologist), a winner of the National Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement and multiple Tun Foundation Literary Awards, passed away at his residence in Thakayta Township at the age of 93 on 25 August.
Born to U Thein and Daw Saw Khin on 20 July 1934 in Myanaung, Ayeyawady Region, U Tun Yi passed the High School exam at 19 and worked as a primary school teacher for about two years. He later joined the Myanmar National Bank as a clerk while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at Yangon University, which he obtained in 1960. He rose from bank clerk to deputy manager before transferring to the Myanma Five Star Line in 1985-1986, where he served as a manager until his retirement in 1992-1993. Throughout his career, U Tun Yi devoted himself to researching and uncovering obscure works of ancient Myanmar literature, compiling and distributing 252 volumes of duplicate manuscript collections. He also authored and published numerous books on ancient Myanmar literature and classical poets. In Japan, he served as a visiting researcher/research fellow for more than a decade, during which he authored several research publications. He founded Mibagon Publishing House to compile and publish works on Myanmar culture and ancient manuscripts, writing under pseudonyms including Min Ma Haw, Min Ma Haw Tun and Maung Kauk Thin.
His scholarly contributions earned him Tun Foundation Literary Awards in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015, culminating in the prestigious National Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017. Until his passing, U Tun Yi remained active as an honorary senior scholar of the Myanmar Writers’ Association, patron of the Thakayta Township Writers’ Association, a patron of the Myanmar Literature Propagation Association, a member of the Myanmar Encyclopedia Advisory Board, and a member of the palm-leaf manuscript conservation team.
Following news of his death, historians, literary scholars, students and readers paid tribute on social media, expressing their condolences and praising his significant contributions to Myanmar literature. — TWA/TH
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