Arakanese music world mourns death of prolific composer

By DMG 23 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
23 December 2022, Sittwe

The well-known Arakanese composer Ko Doe Maung died on Thursday night, according to family members. He was 77.

Ko Doe Maung had been suffering from liver problems and diabetes, and was receiving treatment at Sittwe Hospital since December 17.

“He was always composing songs playing mandolin. He left four songs unfinished when he died,” his daughter Ma Lin Lin Nwe told DMG.

Ko Doe Maung was born in the village of Maung Ni Pyin, Sittwe Township, and was the second son among five siblings. He began learning to play mandolin and compose songs when he was a middle school student.

Arakanese singer U Oo Maung Thein said Ko Doe Maung’s death was a loss for the arts world and Arakanese society.

“He was my first teacher and benefactor. He composed for my first album. And I have made my name as a singer thanks to a song composed by him. I am saddened by his death,” U Maung Thein told DMG.

Ko Doe Maung composed several songs that are still popular with Arakanese audiences today.

“I saw him playing mandolin together with my father since I was young,” said another Arakanese singer, Yee Hlaing Pyar. So, I feel sad for him. He was a big star in the Arakanese community’s arts circles.”

Ko Doe Maung received a composing award from the Tankho literary awards committee in 2014. He also recorded 24 songs of his own, according to family members.

His funeral will be held in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on Sunday.