Famous dragon dancers pride of Pudong
By Qu Zhi |
June 4, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Chinese dragon is the greatest symbol of power and good fortune and no traditional festival is complete without an undulating dragon dance, especially around the time of the Dragon Boat festival which falls next Wednesday.
Sanlin Town in the Pudong New Area is famous for its dragon dancers, considered by many to be the best in China. They also tour internationally.
Meters and meters of red decorative fabric are carried on bamboo poles by the dragon dance team that rehearses for long hours to coordinate and synchronize their movements so the dragon appears to writhe and move in waves.
Unlike evil Western dragons, the Chinese dragon is benevolent, even playful, bringing good fortune and rain, and controlling the wind and waters. The dragon has been revered for thousands of years and Chinese people are also known as the descendants of the dragon.
During the Chinese Lunar New Year and other festivals, Chinese around the world celebrate with dragon and lion dances.
The dragon dance probably originated in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), as part of a ritual and prayer for rain.
In Pudong's Sanlin Town, the dragon dance is an indispensable part of culture.
The Sanlin dragon dance dates back to the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties and become popular in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
"People performed dragon dances all the time, especially during religious activities," says Lu Dajie, founder of the Sanlin Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe.
Lu, 64, was born and raised in Sanlin Town and remembers that as a child he chased after the dragon dancers in the lanes and streets of the old town. He grew up to be a professional dancer and worked as a choreographer for a while. His grandfather was a businessman who sponsored performances and his neighbor was part of a dragon dance team.
"I was hooked at the very first by the masculine quality of this performance," he says.
In 1994 he established the Sanlin Dragon and Lion Dance Team, comprised entirely of farmers with an average age of 21. There are currently over 70 members, with 12 being professional performers.
Later he recruited apprentices from every district in the city, but most dragon dancers are still from Sanlin. Today they are no longer farmers, they are clerks, security guards, college students, retired soldiers and professionals.
Dancers train regularly, at least every two weeks for two hours. They also take part in competitions and commercial performances, but they don't get paid.
Training is demanding and dancers need strength and stamina. The dragons range from 1-2 meters in length to more than 100 meters long; the ones used in professional competitions usually measure 18 meters long. In training sessions, each man must run 1,500 meters in six minutes and practice various movements. The entire group's movement must be coordinated.
"In choosing dancers, I value integrity because only honest people can persevere in this arduous training and cultural legacy," Lu tells Shanghai Daily. "Of course, first and foremost, they must love the dragon from the bottom of their heart."
Chen Chunhua, 24, joined the dragon dance troupe in 2007. "I wasn't very good at studying and I didn't have much self-respect, but when I carried the dragon and started to dance I have never felt so proud," he says.
After demonstrating his dragon dance skills, Chen was recruited by the Shanghai University of Sport.
Dragon dancing not only takes place in streets, but also in public squares and cultural venues.
Sanlin dragon dance combines dance, athleticism, martial arts, acrobatics and drama.
"Sanlin is one of the founders of modern dragon dance," Lu says.
In some foreign countries dragons represent evil and Lu tries to change that perception. "We have the obligation to inform them that dragon or long is not some cult culture or fierce, horrible monster of the West," he says.
Years ago, Lu and his team performed in France and was surprised that the exotic dragon dance was the most popular show during the event.
"The encores were unprecedented and we came back to perform twice more. Finally, every member was too exhausted to walk," he recalls.
"When we perform outside China, the feeling is very different, maybe because it's all new to the audience. They are so engaged and happy that you want to spread the inspiring quality of the dragon dance," says Wang Lei, a former dancer in the troupe.
The Sanlin team has performed in Europe and Southeast Asia, and at national celebrations such as the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and at celebrations in 1997 for Hong Kong's return to China.
In Belgium, Lu set up a dragon dance team comprised entirely of Europeans. Dragon dancing has become so popular worldwide that there are regular international competitions and even a rule book.
The Sanlin Dragon and Lion Dance Team is frequently the winner.
"Sanlin people managed to find their own roots by engaging in dragon dancing, expressing strong feelings for their native land as well as a spirit of persistence and struggle," Lu says.
In Sanlin, dragon dance students range in age from four years old to 75 and include women.
"The sense of achievement is beyond words," says Feng Junyan, head of the dragon dance team at Sanlin High School. "I had never before realized the power of all pulling together until I joined the team. And, my family is really proud of me."
Sanlin Town in the Pudong New Area is famous for its dragon dancers, considered by many to be the best in China. They also tour internationally.
Meters and meters of red decorative fabric are carried on bamboo poles by the dragon dance team that rehearses for long hours to coordinate and synchronize their movements so the dragon appears to writhe and move in waves.
Unlike evil Western dragons, the Chinese dragon is benevolent, even playful, bringing good fortune and rain, and controlling the wind and waters. The dragon has been revered for thousands of years and Chinese people are also known as the descendants of the dragon.
During the Chinese Lunar New Year and other festivals, Chinese around the world celebrate with dragon and lion dances.
The dragon dance probably originated in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), as part of a ritual and prayer for rain.
In Pudong's Sanlin Town, the dragon dance is an indispensable part of culture.
The Sanlin dragon dance dates back to the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties and become popular in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
"People performed dragon dances all the time, especially during religious activities," says Lu Dajie, founder of the Sanlin Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe.
Lu, 64, was born and raised in Sanlin Town and remembers that as a child he chased after the dragon dancers in the lanes and streets of the old town. He grew up to be a professional dancer and worked as a choreographer for a while. His grandfather was a businessman who sponsored performances and his neighbor was part of a dragon dance team.
"I was hooked at the very first by the masculine quality of this performance," he says.
In 1994 he established the Sanlin Dragon and Lion Dance Team, comprised entirely of farmers with an average age of 21. There are currently over 70 members, with 12 being professional performers.
Later he recruited apprentices from every district in the city, but most dragon dancers are still from Sanlin. Today they are no longer farmers, they are clerks, security guards, college students, retired soldiers and professionals.
Dancers train regularly, at least every two weeks for two hours. They also take part in competitions and commercial performances, but they don't get paid.
Training is demanding and dancers need strength and stamina. The dragons range from 1-2 meters in length to more than 100 meters long; the ones used in professional competitions usually measure 18 meters long. In training sessions, each man must run 1,500 meters in six minutes and practice various movements. The entire group's movement must be coordinated.
"In choosing dancers, I value integrity because only honest people can persevere in this arduous training and cultural legacy," Lu tells Shanghai Daily. "Of course, first and foremost, they must love the dragon from the bottom of their heart."
Chen Chunhua, 24, joined the dragon dance troupe in 2007. "I wasn't very good at studying and I didn't have much self-respect, but when I carried the dragon and started to dance I have never felt so proud," he says.
After demonstrating his dragon dance skills, Chen was recruited by the Shanghai University of Sport.
Dragon dancing not only takes place in streets, but also in public squares and cultural venues.
Sanlin dragon dance combines dance, athleticism, martial arts, acrobatics and drama.
"Sanlin is one of the founders of modern dragon dance," Lu says.
In some foreign countries dragons represent evil and Lu tries to change that perception. "We have the obligation to inform them that dragon or long is not some cult culture or fierce, horrible monster of the West," he says.
Years ago, Lu and his team performed in France and was surprised that the exotic dragon dance was the most popular show during the event.
"The encores were unprecedented and we came back to perform twice more. Finally, every member was too exhausted to walk," he recalls.
"When we perform outside China, the feeling is very different, maybe because it's all new to the audience. They are so engaged and happy that you want to spread the inspiring quality of the dragon dance," says Wang Lei, a former dancer in the troupe.
The Sanlin team has performed in Europe and Southeast Asia, and at national celebrations such as the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and at celebrations in 1997 for Hong Kong's return to China.
In Belgium, Lu set up a dragon dance team comprised entirely of Europeans. Dragon dancing has become so popular worldwide that there are regular international competitions and even a rule book.
The Sanlin Dragon and Lion Dance Team is frequently the winner.
"Sanlin people managed to find their own roots by engaging in dragon dancing, expressing strong feelings for their native land as well as a spirit of persistence and struggle," Lu says.
In Sanlin, dragon dance students range in age from four years old to 75 and include women.
"The sense of achievement is beyond words," says Feng Junyan, head of the dragon dance team at Sanlin High School. "I had never before realized the power of all pulling together until I joined the team. And, my family is really proud of me."
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