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