Me Khway


Me Khway was a Burmese poet during the reigns of King Bodawpaya to King Tharrawaddy. She is regarded as the first composer of 12-month celebration egyins. Since she had composed many egyins, she is also known as E Me Khway.

Life

Me Khway was the youngest daughter of a Sittaung officer– her elder sister was Me Kay, who was also a poet. She married former inheritance officer Maung Swet.

Works

Egyins Me Khway composed are a kind of Shihsepaw E which were supposed to firstly compose around 1080 Burmese Era during the reign of King Taninganway.
Prior to Me Khway, there were only yadu and lutar for the celebration of twelve months of Burma. She started composing egyins about the 12 months.
In addition to 12-month celebration egyins, Me Khway also composed:
Elegy songs composed by Me Khway are the prototype of today's well-known elegy, Discovery of Sonnathar Myaing.
A four-stanza verse of Me Khway named "The Present" is prescribed to 10th graders studying Burmese poetry.