Dec 30, 2008 (DVB), Cartoonists, artists and literary figures from across Burma paid homage to three elderly cartoonists at the home of Pe Thein, one of the three, in Rangoon’s Hlaing township on 28 December.

It was the 33rd time artists have paid the traditional obeisance to senior cartoonists, but unlike in previous years, participants were not watched or harassed by the authorities at this year's event, one cartoonist said.

"[The cartoonists] are Saya U Pe Thein, Saya U Aung Shein and Saya U Shwe Minthaa," he said.

"Many cartoonists attended, including those from the regions. We do it every year."

The cartoonists were presented with CDs of cartoons drawn for fundraising events to help Cyclone Nargis victims, which were banned by the censorship board, a literary figure said.

He added that cartoonists are facing increasing difficulties because magazines and journals are reducing the numbers of cartoons and sketches featured due to the increasingly strict censorship system.

"Cartoonists are unable to survive on their art alone and they have to make a living as graphic designers in magazines and journals and so on," he said.

Reporting by Arnt Phone Myat