Kagyin (poetic form)

Form of Burmese martial song

A kagyin (Burmese: ကာချင်း; pronounced [kàdʑɪ́ɰ̃]) is a form of Burmese martial song performed during a shield dance (Burmese: ကာက; pronounced [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[note 1] in the left.[3]

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

## Format

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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

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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

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The Myinsaing Shwepyi Kagyin of Kyawswa I is most well-known today.[4][5] It is assigned to 11th graders studying Burmese literature and poetry.

## Notes

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1. ^ A ka (ကာ) is an ancient Burmese shield.

## References

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

## See also

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* Burmese literature

* v
* t
* e

Burmese language

Stages|

* Old Burmese
* Middle Burmese
* Modern Burmese

Dialects|

* Danu
* Intha
* Merguiese
* Rakhine language (Ramree, Sandoway)
* Tavoyan
* Yaw

Grammar and
vocabulary|

* Phonology
* Numerical classifiers
* Units of measurement
* Honorifics
* Numerals
* Postpositions
* Pronouns
* Kinship terms
* Verbs

Literature|

* Royal chronicles
* Dhammathat
* Burmese poetry
* Ainggyin
* Égyin
* Mawgun
* Pyo
* Yadu
* Thanbauk
* Yagan

Writing system|

* Alphabet
* Braille

Romanization|

* MLC Transcription System
* ALA-LC romanization
* BGN/PCGN romanization of Burmese

Other topics|

* Burmese English
* Myanmar Language Commission
* Burmese names

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