THE sand painting trade community in Bagan said that their paintings are popular and selling well due to the current influx of tourists.

“Trade is currently good because there are more visitors. Many people like them. We also sell them at the pagoda market in Bagan. When customers come, the artists apply Thanaka and hand-paint to attract them. The sand painting is a Bagan-only product. It is a small-scale industry. We have regular customers. Some people buy sand paintings as Bagan souvenirs, “ said a Bagan sand painting shop owner.

The Bagan sand painting market was good in Thadingyut and Tazaungdine periods, due to the new designs that Myanmar people like.

It is a 100 per cent handmade product originated in Bagan that combines painting and colouring with sand obtained from the river.

“Bagan sand painting is a type of painting in which our artists grind the sand obtained from the river into powder and then make various paintings. Then, we mix the sand powder with colours to create images of Bagan pagodas and views, which are called sand paintings. Sometimes, we use glue to make shapes with sand. Sand is divided into big, medium particles and dust,” he continued.

Thit Taw/ZN

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