(Mizzima/IFEX) - The Burmese regime has banned the work of 19 artists and
writers, and some writers and poets are hiding from authorities because
they are being pursued for taking part in the September 2007 uprising.

Among those whose works have been banned is the renowned cartoonist
Awpikye, whose three-decade-long career was brought to a halt by the ban.
He was accused of supporting monks in the September 2007 uprising.

"I cannot draw cartoons now; I am upset about it. My fans cannot see my
cartoons anymore," he said. "I knew about it after the advertisement
industry told me about the ban. They told to me that my work had been
banned from being published and telecast. Moreover, even my colleagues
cannot mention my name in their work. Their work will be censored, too, if
they mention my name," he added.

Award-winning actor and film director Kyaw Thu met the same fate. The
regime banned about 20 films and videos in which he has acted, even though
they were cleared by the censorship board. "The ban on screening my movies
and videos means banning everyone involved in their production, too. It
means killing the artistes," Kyaw Thu said.

Both Awpikye and Kyaw Thu have found alternative means of earning an income
and doing meaningful work, but both are frustrated and disheartened at
being shut out of their real professions.

"Yes, I'm facing some difficulties now. But I'm doing graphic designing and
drawing logos as well for commercial establishments. The ban doesn't affect
my commercial work", said Awpikye.

"I can bear the burden of being banned from performing as I have my charity
work of providing free funeral service for the poor. We are getting more
donations now as I'm leading this charity organization. Many people
encouraged us to continue our job", said Kyaw Thu.

Others affected by the ban are: Than Myint Aung (female writer); Soe Win
Nyein (artist); Oo Swe; Zaw Htet Htwe (sports journalist); Poe Phyu (film
actor); Zarganar (comedian); Aung Way; Nyein Thit; Ludu Daw Amar (female
writer); Dagon Tayar (writer); and Ko Moe Thu (writer).

In response to the ban, some writers have changed their pseudonyms.
However, the censorship board - the "literary secret service" of the State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC) - requires that the biographical
information of writers accompany their work so changing pseudonyms does not
work as a strategy to avoid the ban.

The censorship board tightens its rules on some artists, imposes
restrictions, and sometimes blacklists writers who criticize the regime.
Sources close to literary workers said that the censorship board always
favours publishers close to the top brass, and who also publish pro-junta
articles and news.

In a related incident, in a 4 December 2007 press conference held by SPDC
in their new capital Naypyidaw on 4 December 2007, Information Minister
Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan discredited Kyaw Thu, comedian and actor
Zarganar, and writer Than Myint Aung as being "unpatriotic" for offering
alms to monks during the uprising, and further claimed that "unscrupulous
elements" had incited and misled them.

Meanwhile, Poet Nwe Sein Wai was taken from his home for questioning the
day after he attended the 92nd birthday celebration of renowned writer Ludu
Daw Ahmar on 29 November. At the event, poets recited their poems and
distributed collections of their works.

"They took away my husband for questioning. He was released later on the
same day. I don't know what (the authorities) asked my husband. Only he can
answer this," his wife said.