![]() ![]() The shadow play is particularly adored by children for being so much more evocative of magic and mystery than folk opera ever could be, performed as it is by merely mortal players. Shadow plays are mostly based on legends, folk tales and fables, although some are original. The popularity of shadow play is in some way attributable to the equipment being light and easy to carry, the small number of people needed for a performance, and the flexible requirements for performance venues. So the operator is usually highly sought-after, since he or she must not only have the ability to operate a puppet and sing and talk, but also be able to play a percussive instrument with his/her foot at the same time. The plays can be quite dramatic and, when it comes to fairy tales or kungfu stories, the "actors" may be made to ride on clouds or perform unusual feats, to the great enjoyment of the audience, especially children.Ī puppet figure requires five bamboo-sticks to operate. Parts are played and sung by the puppet masters. Moved by guiding sticks, the puppets play roles with musical accompaniment. Illuminated puppet figures manipulated by three to five artists using a transparent white cloth screen have now formed an artistic combination of opera, music, fine art and special craftsmanship.ĭuring performances, "actors" are held close to a white curtain with their colored shadows cast on it by a strong light from behind. As present, more than 20 countries are known to have shadow play troupes.Ģ. Shadow puppets began to spread to Europe in the mid-18th century, when French missionaries to China took them back to France in 1767 and put on performances in Paris and Marseilles, causing quite a stir. Later, the art was introduced to Southeast Asian countries, too. They were spread by the conquering Mongols to distant lands like Persia, Arabia and Turkey. ![]() In the 13th century, shadow plays became a regular form of recreation in the barracks of Mongolian troops. During the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644), there were 40 to 50 shadow play troupes in the city of Beijing alone. The shadow plays became quite popular as early as the Song Dynasty (960-1279) when holidays were marked by the presentation of many shadow plays. This is thought to be the beginning of the shadow play puppetry. He somehow believed the shadow was his lover's spirit. The show brought the emperor some consolation. To help him get over his sadness, a minister made a puppet out of cotton and silk in the likeness of the concubine and projected its shadow on a curtain for the emperor to see. Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Wudi (156-87 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty was very depressed over the death of his favorite concubine. It is also one of the earliest arts introduced by China to the West. The shadow play is a typical traditional entertainment that has survived and thrived over the centuries. ![]()
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