Sculptor
Mandalay, Burma 2011
When our guide said that our next destination would be “Marble Street”. I got the idea that it would be a street paved with glistening, white marble flanked by smart shops and cafes. But no. Marble street is a muddy, narrow passage between open-air factories turning out a bewildering variety of Buddha statues.
Most of the sculptors were men but I recall women squatting in the rubble painting black eyeliner on Buddha’s eyes. White dust filled the air. I feared for my lungs and for my camera. But the Burmese ‘paid no mind’ as we used to say. They sanded with power sanders, faces uncovered, breathing in the powdered stone. They used their feet and leg power instead of a vice. Barefooted, they hauled the heavy statues onto truck beds.
The statues were beautiful.
“Marble street is a muddy, narrow passage between open-air factories turning out a bewildering variety of Buddha statues.”
Could you pinpoint the exact location of this “marble street” on the map? What are the main streets close-by/crosssections…I would like to go see this place in Mar,2015. Thanks
-Dennis
Hello, Dennis.
I can’t tell you where ‘marble street” is but I’m sure if you ask your hotel, they will know…ask a taxi driver…You’ll find it because it is popular with tourists. Be sure to have a plastic bag to cover your camera. The fine dust can cause havoc.
Rosemary
Thanks for your help!
Denis! You are one in a million. You said “thank you”!! I hope you have a wonderful time in Burma.