FESTIVALS

• Asia is rich in festivals that showcase the culture and traditions of every country of the region
• The history and origins of the festival and theatrical forms in Asia can be traced back to later 'classical' traditions dating back to the 13th until the 19th centuries however, intermingled with each other surprisingly shows history of how rich Asia is with its festive and theatrical form
• Festivals and theatrical forms in Asia are renowned worldwide because it shows how culturally rich we are in terms of varied identities and aesthetics
• Asian theater forms combine the art of drama, dance and music
• Most of the Asian traditions employ either dance or dance-like, stylized movement characterized by their own specific musical styles and genres
• The acting techniques which uses dance-like body language, which are usually very intricate and demands many years of arduous training
• The national festivals allowed hard workers Chinese to take a break by gathering and celebrating different occasions together

  
• Many festivals are still currently observed as important part of their tradition
• Spring Festival


  Also known as Chinese New Year. The beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year

  
• The Spring Festival is the most important festival of the year in China
• The Lantern Festival begins on the first day of the New Year lasts for 15 days
• The Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, gift exchanges and fireworks display
• Red is also a popular color during this time because it is said to scare off the monster Nian
• Dragon Boat Festival


  It is an old tradition in China usually celebrated in June
• The Dragon Boat Festival now occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is the source of the festival's alternative name, the Double Fifth Festival
• Kunqu or kun opera


  An opera form initiated by Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722), an art lover
• Jingju (ching-chü) or 'theatre of the capital'


  An opera form that Emperor Qianlong (Ch'ien-lung)(1736-1795) invited troupes from the province of Anhui to perform their local style of bangzi opera, or clapper opera, in the capital
• These 2 theater arts forms were known in the West as the Peking Opera
• Peking Opera became more popular during the reign of the Empress Dowager Cixi (Tz'û-hsi) (1835-1908), as it was performed outside the capital
• Peking Opera was first introduced outside the country, particularly in Japan, in 1919. Then, it was later brought to western audiences in the United States and Russia
• Peking Opera is still the most practiced and performed traditional style of Chinese theatre today
• Peking Opera is also called Beijing Opera and is the most significant form of Chinese opera which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics
• Peking Opera was originally staged for the court and was only made available to the public later
• Peking Opera is a traditional form of entertainment in China where most of its stories come from Chinese history and legends
• Sheng


  The main role in Peking Opera
• Xiaosheng


  A young man, usually small and slight of stature in Peking Opera
• Xiaosheng


  • They usually wear fine costumes
  • Over a thin layer of pinkish powder covering the whole face, greasepaint is used to delineate the eyes and brows, to suggest the vitality of youth
• Laosheng


  An old man role in Peking Opera
• Laosheng


  • With light makeup and wearing finely decorated costumes
  • Wear artificial beards or whiskers of black, gray or white
  • Voice is soft and pleasant to listen to, neither too harsh nor too high pitched, but gentle and firm
• Wusheng


  A martial character for roles involving combat in Peking Opera
• Wusheng


  • They are highly trained in acrobatics and have a natural voice when singing
• Dan


  Refers to any female role in Peking Opera
• Dan


  • Usually wear heavy makeup
  • Their cheeks are mostly painted red to set off the powdery white of the forehead, nose and jaw
  • Heavy black grease-paint is used to highlight the eyes and brows, and red color is applied to the lips to demonstrate the classical beauty of Chinese women
• Laodan


  An old woman role in Peking Opera
• Laodan


  • The makeup is usually light, with light delineation of the corners of the eyes and cheeks to give the audience the impression that the characters have reached the evening of their lives and are reliable and steady
• Wudan


  A martial woman role in Peking Opera
• Daomadan


  Young female warrior roles in Peking Opera
• Qingyi


  Virtuous and elite women roles in Peking Opera
• Huadan


  Vivacious and unmarried women roles in Peking Opera
• Jing


  A painted face male role in Peking Opera