Min Thein Kha

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Min
Thein Kha
မင်းသိင်္ခ
Born
Aung Htun

(1939-06-25)25 June 1939
Died1 August 2008(2008-08-01) (aged 69)
Resting placeYayway Cemetery, Yangon
NationalityBurmese
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Writer and astrologer
Parents
  • San Shein (father)
  • Tin Tin (mother)

Min Theinkha (Burmese: မင်းသိင်္ခ, born Aye Nyunt; 25 June 1939 – 1 August 2008) was a prominent Burmese writer, astrologer and political prisoner.[1] He began his literary career in 1976, adopting the pseudonym Min Theinkha, and wrote hundreds of novels and short stories throughout his career, including notable works such as Manusari, Ponna Ba Kun and Sanay Maung Maung.[2] He is renowned for his series of detective novels set in Colonial Burma, where the protagonist, Sarpalin Hnin Maung, embodies a character archetype deeply influenced by Sherlock Holmes.[3] He was also a well-known astrologer and later taught astrology from his compound in Yangon Region's Hmawbi Township.[2]

Early life[edit]

Min Theinkha was born Aye Nyunt on 25 June 1939 in Kyaukmyaung, now part of Yangon's Tamwe Township, as the eldest of six children in a destitute family.[4] His father painted signboards.[4] He adopted the name Aung Htun when he began to attend school.[4]

At the age of 15, he began writing short novels, using the pen name Aung Soe.[4]

Death[edit]

He died on 1 August 2008 at a private hospital in Kamayut Township in Yangon.[5]

Personal life[edit]

Min Theinhka was married thrice, to two women.[4] He married Aye Aye Shwe at the age of 18; the couple divorced during the same year, and remarried again in 1980.[4] He married another woman after settling in Chauk; the couple had Min Theinhka's only child, a son (b. 1961).[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Burmese guru Min Thein Kha dies at 71". Democratic Voice of Burma. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Min Thein Kha passes away". Mizzima. 1 October 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  3. ^ "Burmese guru Min Thein Kha dies at 71," DVB, 4 August 2008
  4. ^ a b c d e f de la Perrière, Bénédicte Brac (December 2022). "Min Theinhka: An Astrologer's Career through the Lens of Biography" (PDF). Journal of Burma Studies. 26 (2): 203–237. doi:10.1353/jbs.2022.0011. ISSN 2010-314X. S2CID 252763472.
  5. ^ Khine Thazin Aung (11 August 2008). "Astrologer's funeral draws thousands of mourners". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  6. ^ de la Perrière, Bénédicte Brac (December 2022). "Min Theinhka: An Astrologer's Career through the Lens of Biography" (PDF). Journal of Burma Studies. 26 (2): 203–237. doi:10.1353/jbs.2022.0011. ISSN 2010-314X. S2CID 252763472.