Page 13 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (104)

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CITY LIFE | 城事

China: Usha and Phra Ram exemplifies the spirit of Yunnan

中国：《乌莎巴罗》很云南

As night descended, a clear and melo- also the name of a popular performing a distinct separation of singing and acting, various ethnic groups.” As the singing filled
dious Zhangha tune filled the air. Gao art form among the Dai people. The Dai blending folk music while preserving tra- the air, the audience could almost visualize
Chenghua, a post-2000s Zhangha opera people’s Zhangha opera is an ethnic the- ditional Zhangha opera singing techniques the lush mountains, diverse customs, and
performer, collaborated with his partner to atrical genre rooted in Zhangha storytell- and exploring innovative formats for their deep history of Yunnan.
narrate the romantic tale of Usha and Phra ing, incorporating elements such as long presentation. “In my interactions with troupes from
Ram from the Chinese Dai mythological poems, dances, music, and language. Gao “The story of Usha and Phra Ram has a other countries, I have gained a profound
epic. Their performance depicted the cou- shared that “Usha and Phra Ram” not only unique Yunnan flavor,” Gao remarked. “It appreciation for the diversity and common-
ple’s relationship solidifying in the forest, weaves together a rich tapestry of ancient emphasizes the Dai people’s core values of alities of cultures,” Gao said. “I hope to use
immersing the audience in the ancient Dai Dai myths, legends, and poetry but also cherishing peace, seeking happiness, and Zhangha opera as a bridge to share the cul-
world. offers a vivid portrayal of life in ancient embracing nature, while also showcasing tural stories of Yunnan’s ethnic groups with
“Zhangha” refers to Dai singers and is Dai society. The actors in the play utilize the rich cultural diversity among Yunnan’s the world.”

Myanmar: Changes reflected in clothing

缅甸：服饰里面看变迁

With graceful spins and lively leaps, by movements and costumes inspired by the childhood, is no stranger to China. “During ments blossom like a flower, inviting the
fingers delicately trace the air as if plucking murals in the Bagan pagodas,” introduced my college years, I had the opportunity to audience to appreciate the dance while
the strings of time. On stage, the dancers from dancer Ze Mating (transliteration). She participate in a four-day cultural exchange experiencing the Myanmar people’s pur-
Myanmar seem to emerge from ancient mu- noted that the accessories used in the Bagan in Urumqi, Xinjiang. The performances dur- suit of beauty and their passion for tradi-
rals, each movement narrating the historical dance are as light as the wings of the myth- ing that time deepened my understanding of tional culture. “Events like these allow us to
stories of various eras in Myanmar. ical birds illustrated in the murals. “These Chinese culture.” Ze Mating recognizes the introduce Myanmar’s cultural arts to other
“We are showcasing dances that depict garments enable us to better embody our char- significance of each performance and hopes countries, while also drawing inspiration
the stories of three distinct eras in Myan- acters and convey the narrative of Myanmar’s to convey the diversity and richness of My- from the traditional arts of other nations,
mar. Among these, the Bagan dance is the historical and cultural transformations.” anmar’s culture through her dance. opening up new possibilities for our artistic
most iconic traditional dance, characterized Ze Mating, who has loved dancing since As the music starts, Ze Mating’s move- innovation.”