As I am going to write about Sayargyi U San Hlaing, I need to meet with him. So I had an interview with him at the office room of Ko Myo Thaw who arranged for it.

Sayargyi is slim and has brown skin. It was obvious that he is in good health strangely enough his ears are a bit large.

I might even say he is intellectual and creative in paintings up to now. His style of coming in to the room is active and light.

After introducing by Ko Myo Thaw when we had talk I respected him more than ever and astonished because he could talk non-stop and when he talked about his childhood, he could without thinking.

Firstly, Sayargyi talked about his belief and philosophy.

“Belief and objectives are important for a person. If he who has not these objectives and belief, he become wrong in sight, wrong sense and wrong doing. I have followed and done for benefit since childhood came in to sense up to now. My life was not smooth. In life, the repaying is conforming by discrimination of light and dark, real and imitation, right and wrong.

I have inhabited with these repaying since my childhood. Although my hobby was painting since I was a student at the primary level, I had no papers and other things to paint and I could not paint in my texts. But my wish to paint is very strong and powerful. So I drew the pictures on the soil, wall and the wood flooring, and I did not ask the pocket-money from my parents, who were hard-up. 

I searched my pocket money by myself. when we need to draw as the Geography and other subjects, I drew on the books of other students, because I was skillful at drawing. So they gave me pocket money for drawing.

As in higher level of school, went to school by day and I tried to earn money as a porter by night.
I ever believe that my parents and teachers are benefactors, I have not done to down-hearted for them. I pitied and wished to help.

When I got a little free time, hard – up I went to the library and read the “Di Dote” Journals and the other books which gave the general knowledge, because my hobby was not only painting but also reading.

Because of my parents were I could not attend my school when I passed seventh standard. Therefore, I studied art the “Sayar Hmat” who was the famous artists as Myanmar Traditional Art of donation and the funeral ceremonies of the monk, in our township, Phyarpon. At that time a person, who want to study art at the old masters, he served as the works for his master as boiling cooking etc., and also respected to him.

I got many kinds of art from my master. I have painted portraits. I got so a lot of fees for Hitalar’s portraits from the English people.

Then I also painted the coffin. A person by the name U Ohm Khin who was only one of the aero plane buyers in our country, till who could buy an aero plane from the life seller of the gills of a fish paste.

He loved his wife, Daw Tin Ohn dearly. How he loved her, when she passed away he assigned me to make her coffin for the best. I demanded 3000 Kyats as fee. Although he told me whether it was a bit much, he gave me. I demanded him this amount, but of a poor man requested, I would have made free from charges.

In the Wontharnu era, I painted the peacocks as I participated in public affairs.

When I was ten years old, my cousin brother called me and introduced with U Ba Tun from British Burma Film and A1 Film Director U Aung Zan. Then I painted the film posters at that place. Besides I could paint many posters by helping actor Maung Maung Aye, director of British Burma Film U Ba Tun, and A1 Director U Aung Zan, because they were the native people of Phyapon Township. And I was friendly with the co-stars and performers Daw Thein Yin and U Thein Maung.

When the 2nd world war broke out, I came back to Phyarpon. At that time my patriotism became stronger. I need to fight by holding the weapon.

So I have set aside the brush and enlisted into the army.

While we enlisted into the army our intention was to engage in the revolution. The aim was to fight against the intruders. We did not want the benefit and hope. Because of this aim, when we fought them, we did not care as without sleep by day and by night and tired, without foods and drinks. Only object was repaying.

Sometimes we came across with the difficulties. In our country and our citizens, our religion has culture, the disciplines to observe. By the times, we could abide by them.

When we got the Freedom, I came back to Yangon and prepared the destroyed building and stayed in it. Then I painted by day and by night.

I painted by lighting the candle as without electric. I drew many kinds of art as signboard, advertising designs and posters. I saved the money in due course then could buy a building, which was owned by Thu Ku Ma Daw Nan. But I bought from her directly, from and Indian people indirectly.

At that period, I got from five Kyats, ten Kyats to hundred Kyats, two hundred Kyats, In those days we get 5 to 10 kyats up to one hundred – two hundred per commercial. When we get into the industrial fair cigarette companies were my customers. I was very successful that some business man offered me to buy a car even. I replied that I don’t need a car as my own please supported to those who are in need of money. As I have been painting day and night I don’t need to drive a car.

I also painted at an artist U Khin Own. I learned art of painting. Later I studied on at Sayar U Ngwe Gaing and Sayar U Hla Maung Gyi, when Sayar U Ngwe Gaing went to outdoor trip, I also accompanied by him and painted.

As Sayargyi was pious, when he painted as the religious paintings, I also could depict the religious paintings on the Life of lord Buddha.

In addition, may I say that my hobby was not only painting, but also the dancing. While we stayed in Phyapon, I have danced in the Phyapon Yama Dance troupe. And I also painted the Yama headdress. But not done as much as the paintings.

I had painted since I was young. And I am still painting now as my age become over ninety. I created many kinds of art such as the Life of Buddha, scenery about King Thi Baw was fetched to away by English government. Pardawmu taking away to Detention and India.

Although I created many kinds of art, my real desire was to paint for betterment of the public.

“Fine Art” which is not only for one person , but for the all walks of people.

I love and respect on art. I appreciate it, so that I would like to talk to the youth that if you would like to make the art, to earn from the art, value it and you should make as.

While he was painting he took the duties of the Secretary of the Veteran Association in the Yangon Milddle Township in 1959. The Middle Township started from Pazundaung Garden to Thakhin Mya Garden, the southern strand Road to Gabar Aye Kokkine in the Northern part.

As to the memory recall, Bo La Yaung, Bo Min Yaung and Bo Ne Myo took part in the leadership. The activits in the core were Bo Thein Aung Bo Khin Maung Nyunt, Bo Tun Sein and U San Hlaing who named himself as comrade San Hlaing (Nobody).

In that same year, U Ba Khin served as Chairman of Burma Art Thamegga (Union) and U San Hlaing who participated with his painting “Okkalar Santawhsin” in Burma Translation Surety at Merchant rode, served as an executive.

In 1963, when the art council was organizer artist U Ohn Lwin served as Chairman and U San Hlaing was an organizer.

As an artist, he participated and drew the background historical paintings as the symposium of Popa peasants Mandalyay Union Day, Kapaung Peasants Symposium, May Day of Chauk Township ceremonies etc., together with the other members at Art Council.

While he studied under the grand master U Ngwe Gaing, he drew the historical of Independent paintings and the Conference of Pha – Sa – Pa – La Know as A.F.P.F.L. at the ceremony of the Union Day.

He illustrated since Sitpyan veterans Magazine, volume (1), which was contributed on May, 1977. At that period, the other famous artists: U Ohn Lwin, U Ba Lwin and U Aung Soe (Bagyi Aung Soe) drew the illustrations in this magazine too. These three artists passed away and U San Hlaing is still living.

In 1983, the famous poet, author and Editor – in Chief Min Yu Wai admired and appreciated the art of U San Hlaing and entrusted the cover paintings for his “Myatmingalar” Bulletin for every month issue.

When he drew the illustrations of the famous poem “prayer for 7 days” was written by Abbot Leidi Sayardawphyagyi (The monk of Leidi) as one picture par a month, many people liked his outstanding workmanship.

Sayagyi Min Yu Wai had written the Story of “The Great 8 Conquers of Lord Buddha” the worship was illustrated till 8 months by him.

Sayargyi Min Yu Wai appreciated Sayargyi U San Hlaing’s art work vividly. So he illustrated the articles and poems of Saya Min Yu Wai Sayargyi U Pho Kyar’s “Maung Ba Si” novel cover and many cover paintings of “Maingalar Maung Mae” Journal.

And then he also illustrated many books such as: Nyaung Lay Bin Maung Tun Oo’s “Yoyar Kapwe Pyaw shwyin Nhwe” poem book, Maung San Hme’s “The angonizing episodes caused by greed.” Khin Yi Wai’s “The sweet criminal epsiodas”. He also depicted many of Sayagyi Min Yu Wai previous lives.

In 1983 he began to draw the illustrations in “Yadanamon Magazine” because of the request by saya U Tun Lwin, the Editor – in – Chief of “Yadanar Dagon” magazine and Yadanarmon magazine.

And U Aung Mon Editor – in – Chief of Myat Su Mon, religion magazine invited to draw in his magazine. So he had begun to illustrated in October, 1988 in his magazine.

He drew the Yoke Sone (11) volumes of Saya Kyaw Phyu San. Sayargyi U San Hlaing created not only the cover of journals and magazines but also the cover of the religious cassettes.

His works of art which were created artistic as Myanmar Culture and tradition were able to get the general knowledge, to be polite for the new generations.

As his works were very famous, he has drawn nearly all of the periodicals. He has drawn for Workers Journal, Pyithu Kyai (Public star) Tayar Yeik Myaing Sarson, the variety of literature of Sarpay Baikman, Khit Myanmar Journal, Myitmakha, Byardatepan, Pephuhlyar, Ngwe Tar Yi, Mahay Thi etc., as very busy.

Taing longyaw (Famous in the while committee) and Myanmaalin in newspapers have revealed give priority.

While he was performing as a first class Artist at the news bulletin branch of Department of Party Periodicals Educative Department of BSBP he had designed covers for the news bulletin, bulletin for the party affairs, Labor Affairs, farmers Batches, Labor and Peasants ebullition’s designed for Dams, Batches for BSBP youth, Batches representing the counties, Batches and Awards for the Independence of Union of Myanmar.

The thing he is proud of most in his life is that he created the pattern design of the flat of the Union of Myanmar”.

He also wrote the article titled “Arzarni Mawgun” because his another hobby is literature. Although he was so busy with his art work for the commercials Ads magazines and journals., he created many comics under the name of “Artist San Hlaing”. He was good at not only line drawing but also in ink drawing besides his illustrations were natural and came to life, because he was a master of anatomy. We can see his own style in his comics, which were created by mixing of line drawing and ink drawing in harmony.

Artist U San Hlaing had engaged in the revolution for our country, so when he created the portrait of Bogyoke Aung San, who was a Father of National freedom, he mixed his skillful art and his regards as respect and love on Bogyoke. Therefore, he won the second prize for this portrait and his art work of the cover of workers Journal, in July as the style of Bogyoke gave a speech, was very distinct and amazing.

For his background which was pointed the scattered clouds and the moved leaves for the wings, the style of Bogyoke speech on the foreground were came alive and abled to call the art lovers to the field of public lecture talk.

As the pictures in the color pages were used, the color composition, tone composition and light system antically and the black and white pages as well.