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Golden Temple inside Shwedagon Pagoda in Sunset Twilight. Yangon, Myanmar

Voters went to the polls Sunday for the initial phase of Myanmar's first general election in five years, held under the supervision of its military government while a civil war rages throughout much of the country.

Critics charge that the election is designed to add a facade of legitimacy to military rule, which began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Her party won a landslide victory in the 2020 election but was blocked from taking office for a second term.

🇲🇲| National costume of Miss Universe Yangon East.

Kinnari, a Buddhist and Hindu mythological creature, in Burmese art ✨

Kinnara and Kinnari are mythological beings in Southeast Asian culture, particularly within Burmese arts and traditions. These celestial beings, often depicted as half-human, half-bird creatures, embody beauty, love, and artistic grace. They are significant in various forms of Burmese art, including painting, sculpture, lacquerware, and literature.

Kinnara and Kinnari originate from ancient Hindu and Buddhist mythology. In these traditions, they are known as celestial musicians and dancers, residing in the mythical Himavanta forest. In Buddhist mythology and Hindu mythology, a kinnara is a paradigmatic lover, a celestial musician, half-human and half-horse or half-bird. Their character is clarified in the Adi parva of the Mahabharata.

There are three distinct types of Kinnara in Burmese tradition:

▪️ Bird Kinnara: These are the most commonly depicted in art, characterized by their bird-like features such as wings.

▪️ Human Kinnara: These Kinnara are portrayed with human features, often adorned in traditional clothing ornaments.

▪️ Deva Kinnara: Representing the highest form, Deva Kinnara are depicted with elaborate ornaments, reflecting their celestial nature.

Kinnara and Kinnari are prominent figures in Burmese arts, depicted in various art including painting, sculpture, and lacquerware.

Photo credit: TK