Panyan – Art of Bricklaying & Masonry

Panyan - Art of Bricklaying & Masonry in Myamar

Panyan means the work of constructing the building with bricks, stones, and cement. The masons erect brick dwellings, stupas, bridges. Masonry in Myanmar emerged since the Pyu period in the 1st century A.D.

Panyan - Art of Bricklaying & Masonry in Myamar
Panyan – Art of Bricklaying & Masonry in Myanmar

Amazing strength, unbeatable grandeur beauty, unbelievable details, and appropriate decorations have made this Myanmar’s traditional masonry works well-known globally. In Bagan era, this kind of art enjoyed the golden age and ancient pagodas and other religious structures from the Bagan era are the stellar examples of Myanmar’s traditional masonry works. Nowadays, you can see a variety of this great construction while taking a trip to Myanmar.

Burmese men working at the temple construction site
Burmese men working at the temple construction site

The Myanmar’s traditional masonry of Bagan period featured remarkable strength, immensity of volume, sophisticated patterns and lively figures, and the power to hold the spectators in awe which in turn makes Masonry in Baban period outstanding admiration of all the historical periods. It is a mistake if we don’t mention the masonry of the mid-Amarapura period which is also beautiful and lively, but it only ranks 2 (behind Bagan).