Songs most of which made until the last of 19 century that are classified as Burmese classical songs are referred to as thachingyi in Burmese or maha gita that is a loanword from Pali and are regarded as being Burmese “classical” or “traditional” songs.
“Thachin” means “song” and “gyi” means “big, great” in Burmese, and “maha” means “great” and “gita” means “music, song” in Pali. Both have almost same meaning, and in Burma these two words are not sometimes used by a distinction. The domain indicated by these two words is sometimes not same by interpretation but almost same. It implies “classical” by saying in Pali, maha gita, in place of Burmese “thachingyi.”
However, these words not the same. I use thachingyi as a general term of Burmese classical songs.
In Burma, instrumental is not main in music, songs are central to music. Songs called thachingyi are underlying basis of Burmese traditional performing arts, such as dance (aka), theatrical performance (zat dabhin) and puppetry (youk htay). Thachingyi is played until today at ceremonies such as pagoda festival(paya bwe), wedding ceremony and it are essential for people’s live.