Kagyin (poetic form) explained

A kagyin (Burmese: ကာချင်း; in Burmese pronounced as /kàdʑɪ́ɰ̃/) is a form of Burmese martial song performed during a shield dance (Burmese: ကာက; in Burmese pronounced as /kàka̰/).[1] Its purpose is to inspire both the singer and their audience with national spirit and patriotism.[2] A kagyin is sung while performing systematic defensive footwork, a sword in the right hand and a ka[3] in the left.[4]

Kagyins were first performed in 1312 during the reign of Thihathu. The form further developed in the Pinya Kingdom under Kyawswa I.

Format

A kagyin does not use four syllables in each line, unlike the classical Burmese verse from which it is derived.

As a yadu is sometimes written between the verses of luta poetry, a thanbauk can be written into a kagyin.

Subject

Most kagyin describe the beauty of the three seasons, seasonal flowers, and the development of the state, as in egyin and angyin.

Notable composers and works

The Myinsaing Shwepyi Kagyin of Kyawswa I is most well-known today.[5] [6] It is assigned to 11th graders studying Burmese literature and poetry.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: ʼEʺ (Ūʺ.) . Moṅʻ Moṅʻ . Mranʻ mā cā pe nhaṅʻʹ Rakhuiṅʻ yañʻ kyeʺ mhu ʼa phvaṅʻʹ . 1977 . Goʻkī Cā pe tuikʻ . my.
  2. Book: Nuiṅʻ (Rāmañña.) . Kui Kui . Mranʻ māʹ coṅʻʺ ci koṅʻʺ ca rā nhaṅʻʹ tatʻ koṅʻʺ ca rā . 1985 . Cā pe Bimānʻ . my.
  3. A ka is an ancient Burmese shield.
  4. Book: Htut (U) . Ye . Myanmar Dances . 1997 . Win Sarpay . en.
  5. Book: Kabyā saṅgaha medanī: kabyāʹ ʼa chī ʼa nhacʻ poṅʻʺ khyupʻ . 1966 . Haṃsāvatī Puṃ nhipʻ tuikʻ . my.
  6. Book: Mranʻ māʹ cvayʻ cuṃ kyamʻʺ: (kya . 1954 . Mranʻ mā nuiṅʻ ṅaṃ bhā sā pranʻ cā pe ʼa taṅʻʺ . my.