Wungyi Padethayaza

The composer Wungyi Padethayaza was born in Inwa (Ava) in the Burmese Era 1046 (AD 1684), during the reign of King Inwa Inga who succeeded to the throne in the Burmese Era (AD 1672). During the reign of King Sanay, Wungyis (ministers) held the position of keeping the records of a corps of troops. Since he was good at writing poems, he was given a portion of revenue collected from Magyeeyone village. He was also awarded the let weh shwe daung title and was granted permission to build shwe dah hsauk wun pyay house. During the reign of King Kyathapaday (King of Hanthawaddy), he was given a gold coin, a teapot, and a kyaing (a ceremonial mace used as a symbol of authority), was appointed the minister of the interior and was awarded the tuyin kyawthu title. Not only was he given various gifts including a betel leaf container, a tea pot, a spittoon, and a portion of the revenue collected from the town of Zayun, he was also given the Min Ye Min Hla Kyaw Htin title. After being the interior minister for some time, he was appointed minister in the king's supreme legislative body and was given various titles such as Natshinnaung, Hponedawmyat, Padetharit, and Padethayaza and was named the Royal Poet. Whenever he went to the palace, he was given special permission to ride on a palanquin and to wear two kyaing shwe gyet. His two wives were awarded the title of devi.

In the Burmese Era 1113 (AD 1751), when the King of Inwa was taken to Hanthawaddy, Wungyi Padethayaza went along with him. Wungyi passed away in the same year near the Kyaikkauk pagoda in Syriam. The grave that his wife and children made for him still exists today.