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166

Jan 5.  
[[strikethrough]] June 14 [[/strikethrough]]

brocade & native woven colorful silks. All had intricate hair combs, highly stylized, dressed with flowers, jewels & rich combs. Their blouses, (Angis) mostly transparent silks, laces, nylons, gold dotted silk organdies. Every woman wore her gala jewels, usually two strands of pearls above a gold & diamond necklace, diamond earings - two diamond bracelets, rings & jeweled pins, many of diamonds. The men were equally colorful  with their turbans of silk covered straw - palest yellow, pink, magenta, green - rich, solid colored silk longies - white jackets.

The colored lanterns in the trees - up to their very topmost branches, added to the festive air - as well as the colorful stage - gold & red velvet curtain - not to mention the exciting music of U Haw Pa's State Orchestra. The 'Dway' was called 'Wizaya Pyazat' by U Pon Nya (1807-66) Burma's most renowned dramatist & tells the story of the


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[[strikethrough]] June 15 [[/strikethrough]]

founding of a dynasty in Ceylon by a royal exile from Northern India.

Started off in classical tradition & ended with a pot-pourri of popular humor, song & dance.

Most impressive moment of the occasion was the entrance of the President along the red carpet stretched the length of the garden, accompanied by his sworded soldiers & the military band. He is a sweet looking, gentle faced man, kindly & simple in manner.

Met the Hacohens & the Welsings who came to the house afterwards for drinks. The Welsings were charmed with the drawing I had made of 'Anchen'. He asked me whether I would consider doing a portrait of Beata - either as a drawing or in oil.

Also, this afternoon came an invitation from Hla Shain,