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by Ma Thanegi

Gitameit is a combination of two words: ‘gita’, meaning music, and ‘meit’, meaning friendship. Artists came together in friendship at the centre last week from across the globe; from the United States, Thailand, Hong Kong, Germany, and Myanmar; for a week-long workshop culminating in two truly unique performances the likes of which had never been witnessed by Myanmar audiences before.

The repertoire of each evening was based on the theme of ‘night, moon, and dance, also the title of a poem by workshop participant and Myanmar poet, Nyein Way. In Myanmar, the words are simply formed with one letter of the alphabet each: Nya, La and Ka. Artist San Oo, usually known as MSO, performed the poem, which was the inspiration for the evening’s performance.

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Nya La Ka (Night Moon Dance) workshop December 2-10 in preparation for the performance sponsored by the Asian Cultural Council. Daily choir rehearsals and other activities with Nya La Ka foreign guests: baritone Thomas Buckner (NY), director and stage designer Manuel Lutgenhorst (Germany/NY/Chiangmai), bass clarinetist Bohdan Hilash (NY), composer John Chen (Hong Kong), Likay Dancer Pradit Prasartthong (Bangkok), Bharatyanatyam Dancer Kamala Cesar (NY), and local guests: Myanmar classical dancer Chan Tha, put waing player Kyauk Sein, puppeteer Aye Aye Thwee, violinist U Tin Yi, Burmese slide guitarist U Tin, chauklon bat player U Soe Thein, pianist and composer Kit Young, composer Parami Shoon, conductor Moe Naing, Gitameit Voices, and May Studio engineers (in training for future collaborations with Gitameit).

Gitameit students learned what constitutes a workshop and how to work as a team - cleaning up space, taking care of guests, showing up to rehearsals on time - while getting to know local famous guests and unknown foreign guests who became great friends. Artistically, the whole Gitameit community was exposed to the vastness of artistic possibility by not imitating but creating an original artistic idea with local resources.

An article in reference to the Gitameit performance, Nya La Ka or Night Moon Dance, in December 2005.