Kagyin (poetic form)
A kagyin is a form of Burmese martial song performed during a shield dance. Its purpose is to inspire both the singer and their audience with national spirit and patriotism. A kagyin is sung while performing systematic defensive footwork, a sword in the right hand and a ka in the left.
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.