Ma Than E Fend was a prominent Burmese singer in the early 20th century, known by her stage name Bilat Pyan Than.
35 Facts About Than E
2.
Than E was an international civil servant who spent a long career in the United Nations.
3.
Than E was born in Rangoon, Burma to U Po Mya and Daw Htoo.
4.
Than E's father worked for a European trading firm and later taught Burmese and Pali at St Paul's School for Boys.
5.
Than E taught Britons who needed a certificate of proficiency in Burmese for government or commercial positions.
6.
Than E's mother was a teacher at Boys Methodist School.
7.
Than E was bedridden for nearly two years before he his death.
8.
At sixteen, Than E entered the Baptist-affiliated Judson College within the Rangoon University majoring in English Literature, Indian History and Philosophy.
9.
Than E sang in the Judson Church choir and joined the Glee Club, at the Judson College.
10.
Than E graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree at the age of 20.
11.
One day, Than E got a call from the Education Officer in charge of foreign students at the India House.
12.
When Than E returned from England, the Great Depression that originated in the United States had spread to Burma.
13.
However, Than E found a teaching job at ABM Karen School, a school run by the American Baptist Mission in Henzada.
14.
Than E taught English to secondary and high school students.
15.
Than E's job was to teach English to those training to become teachers to get the Rangoon University Diploma of Teaching.
16.
Than E taught English to pupils in classes at the attached TTC Practicing School.
17.
Tommy was very persistent, so Than E agreed, practiced the song, and recorded it.
18.
The enterprising manager contacted Tommy Thaung Tin to ask if Than E would sing for Columbia Records the kind of song like "Mya Pan Gway".
19.
Than E agreed to the terms and recorded a large number of songs written by Shwe Daing Nyunt.
20.
Than E joined the Women's Auxiliary Service, where she was in the motor unit and drove a jeep for officers on official duty.
21.
Than E's task was to broadcast to territories under Japanese occupation, which included Burma.
22.
Than E was flown from Delhi to New York by military planes and then by trains to San Francisco.
23.
Than E worked there from September 1944 to 14 August 1945.
24.
Than E requested the manager to give her a ticket to London instead, but the manager refused her request.
25.
Than E decided to stay in Palo Alto, California with a colleague and her family and she subsequently lectured there.
26.
Than E contacted Tin Tut at the Dorchester and he took her to meet the delegation.
27.
Than E later wrote in Freedom from Fear that Bogkyoke met a crowded assembly of Burmese students, expatriates and visitors in a Burmese restaurant and addressed to them and later talked to each of them informally.
28.
Bogyoke requested, in advance, Than E to sing at his reception.
29.
Than E sang three songs: one in English, one in French and one in Burmese.
30.
Than E was accompanied by a piano for the English and French songs.
31.
Than E said Than E would be more useful in London than in Rangoon.
32.
Tin Tut was assassinated in September 1948 and Than E struggled to find work before being offered a role by the UN Personnel Officer.
33.
Than E's United Nations assignments took her to New Delhi, for an assignment at the United Nations Information Center.
34.
Than E was then transferred to Algiers in the newly independent Algeria to establish a similar center.
35.
Than E was finally assigned at the Secretariat in New York City.