Myanmar Postcards 1970s

By San Lin Tun

Back in the 1970s, Myanmar people thought it was fun to send postcards with short messages on the back to their family or friends. The front of the postcards often featured beautiful images drawn by famous Myanmar artists or tranquil Myanmar scenes.

Normally, people wrote their address and some endearment or friendly message to their receivers. It took less time than writing a complete letter to their friends and colleagues. Postcards were particularly popular among youths and adolescents.

There were also postcards that depicted important days for Myanmar such as Peasant Day, Independence Day, Armed Forces Day, Union Day and Literacy Day. Some postcards portrayed seasonal festivals such as the water festival or the light festival. Not only did the government publish these kinds of postcards to commemorate special days, but private companies also printed cards with images of famous actors and actresses. Sometimes they used artworks and traditional crafts on the front too.

The 1970s were the days of socialism. The government at the time used postcards to spread slogans or emphasise the importance of labourers and peasants. Typical slogans included:

 A Lain Mar Sar Hmar Shi/Goodness lies in literature

Lote Ngan Ma Pyat A Thone Lone Kyay Thin Tan Thet/Without disturbing toil, one should attend basic literacy classes

Htote Kon Sone Arr Toe Tet Pywar/Raise your productivity

Myway Myuu Seit Pyo Pyae A Kyo/Breeding and planting for the nation’s benefits

Sar Tat Myaut Yay Lu A Khunt A Yay/Literacy, the right of every human being

Nway Yat Kyaung Arr Do Ma Narr/Though summer, we contribute our voluntary work

People at the time collected these postcards to show them to their children when they grew up, or they could be used as a solace whenever they felt a sense of longing. These postcards offered a way of storing good memories.

Even these days, people like to send postcards to their friends or family when they go to new places or new sites, but they tend to feature beautiful photographs rather than illustrations. They want their friends to know where they have been and say it would be nice if they could be there together or spend good times together.