Thu Maung

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Thu Maung, born Bala, was a Burmese actor, singer, writer and director. He was born on 13 March 1951 in Rangoon, Burma, and died on 16 May 2010 in Yangon, Myanmar, at age 59. He won the Myanmar Academy Award for his role in Khun Hna Sin A Lwan (1990).

Early life
He was the son of U Thadu, a well-known author and director, and Daw Khin Nyo. He studied at St. Paul’s High School, then attended Government Technical High School and earned a diesel engineering diploma in 1969. While studying, he began writing poems and short stories for Yuwadi Journal, and in 1970 published his first short story, Thanakha Yay Kye Kye, under the pen name Oke Soe.

Career
Thu Maung made his acting debut in the 1974 film Chit San Na Mu and became a popular screen actor through the 1970s. In 1990, he won the Myanmar Academy Award for Khun Hna Sin A Lwan. He also started a singing career in 1974, writing the song Pan U Pan Me for the film Naung Ta Myay Myay, and he wrote over 2,000 songs during his career.

In 2001, he participated in the Iowa International Writing Program with Khin Lay Nyo. He died in Yangon on 16 May 2010 from liver disease at the Thukha Gaba private clinic.

Family
He was married to Aye Aye May. He had four children: Soe Ein Thu, Pho Thaukkya, Htein Htein Thar, and Htate Htar. His brothers Wunna and Min Lu were also writers; Min Lu died in 2013. His son Pho Thaukkya is an actor and singer.