TIMEOUT joined members from the Christian Musicians Fellowship (CMF) last week on a two-day boat trip to villages in Bogale and Pyapon townships in Ayeyarwady division, docking in various locations to perform for the locals. The trip went down very well with villagers everywhere crowding the river bank to enjoy the artists’ performances. Many villagers came from villages nearby to enjoy the event and some even followed the boat to watch the performance again at the next place. When we docked at Kyungyar village, suddenly, two men got on the ship and requested to sing with the band. Time out interviewed one of them after his performance with the song Akyee (the look), which is a famous song by artist A Nge.

Time out: Your performance was really great.

Han Myo Wai: Thanks, I’m just an amateur.

The presenter announced your name before you played. But I didn’t hear it clearly?

I’m Han Myo Wai and I’m a villager from Kyungyar village in Bogale township.

Ko Han Myo Wai, you can play guitar very well. Where did you learn?

I learned from a man called Phoe Khwar Lay. He often visits our village.

When did you start playing guitar?

I like songs. But I became interested in guitar at the age of 16. Now, I’m 26 and I’m still studying it.

Wow, you’ve studied guitar for a decade?

Yeah, in this small village we don’t have much chance to learn music. And my parents don’t agree with me and they don’t like me playing guitar at home.

So, how did you overcome your parents’ disapproval?

I practice regularly without caring about their scolding. They think I’m wasting my time but I love music. They can’t make me stop playing. I follow my hobby stubbornly.

Does this mean you do nothing but music?

No, I’m a farmer. I have to work for my living. That is why my parents think I’m not suited to guitar. They want my hands to hold farming tools rather than pressing the strings of the guitar. I have bought many guitars.

Really? How many do you have?

About seven. If a guitar breaks, I buy another. I paid K6000 to buy my first guitar. It was a great amount for me so I difficultly in saving my pocket money to buy a guitar of my own. Last year, I bought one for K42,000.

Have you ever performed before?

No, this is my first performance and I’m really glad to play in a band. I never dreamed that I could perform in front of such a huge crowd especially of my villagers so I was very excited. I didn’t expect that they would let us sing. But they even gave us a chance to play with such great guitars. I’ve never seen such beautiful guitars.

How did the performance make you feel?

After Nargis, I heard that singers went on trips to the delta region to perform for and cheer up the sufferers but I didn’t believe it. I wondered why celebrities would come to these places, which are difficult to reach, and face unexpected dangers. Until yesterday, I thought it was a rumour that the singers would perform here. But when I found they do come and hearten us, I was so happy that I was even in tears.

We also feel touched when we see you all enjoying the performance?

We do as well. I hope to see you again in the future.