The literary community has announced through social media that prominent Myanmar writer Maung Tha Cho passed away this morning. According to writer Aw Pi Kyaw, he died at 8:00 AM at Pyin Oo Lwin Hospital. Maung Tha Cho was a distinguished figure in Myanmar literature and served as a Professor of Myanmar Literature.
Born as U Nyunt Thaung on March 11, 1958, in Three Fork Village, Kwun Chan Kone Township, Yangon Region to U Win Thein and his wife, Maung Tha Cho was 67 years old at the time of his death. His academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981, an Honours degree in 1983, and a Master’s degree in 1988 from Yangon University. He entered the literary world in December 1973 with his poem ‘Modern Love’ published in the Thaung Pyaing Thwe Lat humor magazine.
Maung Tha Cho served as the editor-in-chief of Eain Mat Phyu magazine from July 1988 and held various academic positions throughout his career. He worked as a tutor, lecturer, and professor at numerous institutions including Workers’ College, Regional College, Institute of Foreign Languages, Yangon University, Meiktila Degree College, Hinthada College, and the Myanmar Department of the University of Education. Following the military coup on February 1, 2021, he was arrested by the military and charged under Section 505(a) for his pre-coup writings, which the military claimed were causing disaffection toward the state.
He was sentenced to two years in prison on February 22, 2022, and was released under amnesty on November 17, 2022. Notably, he was released from Insein Prison on the same day as Shwe Nya War Sayadaw. In a remarkable coincidence, both passed away on the same day – the Sayadaw at 2:45 AM and Maung Tha Cho at 8:00 AM. Maung Tha Cho leaves behind a valuable legacy in Myanmar literature, having contributed significantly as both a writer and scholar to the country’s literary heritage.
