The Flower-drum Lantern originated and is popular in the middle reaches of Huaihe River. It is an outstanding folk art and once Premier Zhou Enlai sang highly of it as “Oriental Ballet”.
It originated in Song Dynasty and became popular in the early period of Qing Dynasty. It is a representative of Chinese folk dances. Its vigorous and racy style is very popular with the people along the middle reaches of Huaihe River. Because Huaihe River lies between Huanghe River and the Yangtze River, the Flower-drum Lantern enjoys the artistic styles of both the North and the South. It is a reflection of the folk's characters and images.
Its male player, with his vigorous movements, is called “the drum-shelf” and is good at somersaults. The actress, also called “cymbidium”, sings and dances with handkerchiefs, fans and umbrellas. At night, they usually perform on the lantern-lit squares in the countryside. So it has got the name “the Flower-drum Lantern”.
The dance has big and small performances. The big ones are performed by “drum-shelf” and “cymbidium”. The umbrella dance is followed by group dancing. In the small ones, two or three players will scramble for the handkerchiefs and benches. The leading performance has no fixed form. The player may dance or sing, or dance and sing. It can reflect the performer's emotions and psychology.
The Flower-drum Lantern is a kind of dance that is particular about skills. Its plate drum can best show this. The plate drum has three types: upper, middle and lower ones. The artists have developed their own features and special skills. The most famous artists include Shi Jingli (also nicknamed “Shi Monkey”) and Hong Yun (also nicknamed “Little Waterboy”) from Huaiyuan, Wu Peixuan (also nicknamed “Unrivalled Monkey”) from Fengtai. From their stage names, people can see their incomparable performing skills.
The music is the soul and fatal part of the Flower-drum Lantern. The drums, gongs and lantern songs enjoy unique artistic values. Its style is the reflection of the folk's characters along the river: simple, vigorous, open-minded and optimistic. Such characters are interwoven into the various aspects of the art. |
Asia Travel 
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