BURMESE CIVILIANS PERFORM PWE AND SWORD DANCE AT RAMREE TOWN [Allocated Title]

At Ramree Town in the Arakan coastal region of Burma, local people perform a traditional pwe (dance or entertainment) for soldiers of the 1st Tripura Rifles (Indian State Forces), two of whom then perform a sword dance.

Medium close-up two female Burmese dancers in traditional dress. Wide shot; in front of a small pagoda an audience of Indian troops. Views of the women dancing and behind them a local band plays. A man playing a xylophone, and behind him a man with small cymbals, another with drums, and one with a wooden beater (?). A British (?) member of the audience watching. More views of the dancing. More footage of the dancers, possibly taken slightly later; the audience has swelled to include local civilians and there are now three dancers. A fourth dancer, a man, joins. Telephoto footage of the man performing a sword dance. Wider shot and alternate angles. A single female dancer performing. Views of the band; a man is seen playing a hne (Burmese oboe) or similar. Group of spectators. Dancer. Wide shot of the crowd. Brief shot dancer. Two Indian soldiers of the 1st Tripura Rifles perform a sword dance with captured Japanese swords; they appear to be performing a mock duel. The band playing. A good view of the oboe player. Xylophonist. Drummer. Wide shot; the band, dancers and audience. Audience. More of the Indian soldiers’ sword dance. Wide shot showing the pagoda and the crowd; some of the audience are sitting on the lower tiers of the pagoda. A single soldier performs a sword dance. A single Burmese female dancer performing. Medium close-up Indian soldier. Group of soldiers in the audience. An Indian (junior?) officer.

35mm