'Peacock Princess' ethnic dancer to take her final curtain call
By Xu Wei |
July 7, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
"PEACOCK Princess" Yang Liping, one of China's most famous ethnic dancers, will retire next month after her final performance of her signature "Spirit of the Peacock."
After the show in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, she plans to devote herself to choreographing new dance dramas and discovering new talents in dance.
Ever since Yunnan-born Yang won first prize in a national dance competition in 1986, she has been delighting audiences with both her solo performances and the ethnic dance dramas she has choreographed.
Tonight the 54-year-old dancer will be a judge of the final of China Central Television's dance reality competition "Dancing My Life," inspired by ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
In a recent interview, she told Shanghai Daily she was impressed by the stories, passion and perseverance of the grassroots dancers who team up with celebrities in the competition.
"I never give sharp comments on their performance," Yang said. "I know how much it takes for a dancer. I try to make my words inspirational and encouraging. To achieve a bigger success on stage, they need to forget about competition."
Born into a poor family of Yunnan Province, she found dance both a consolation and inspiration.
She rose to overnight fame in 1986 with her dance creation "Soul of the Peacock."
She has performed in more than 30 countries and choreographed and directed spectacles such as "Dynamic Yunnan," "Echoes of Shangri-La" and "Tibetan Myth."
Q: What does "Peacock" convey?
A: Both peacock and phoenix have their cultural essence. They symbolize the Oriental feminine totem. "Peacock" is mostly about love and life, representing a common humanity and telling a story about nature and growth. We started a national tour last year and it has been well-received by people of different ages and backgrounds. To my surprise, everyone has their own understanding and interpretation.
Q: As a grassroots dancer who didn't attend professional dance college, what do you want to share with young dancers starting out?
A: Dancing is a way for me to communicate and interact with people. Meanwhile, I feel fulfilled and happy in the process. I have gained a lot from dancing and will always be grateful.
Q: Have you discovered talent through the TV competition?
A: In my eyes, everyone has a gift and has potential to be a wonderful dancer. I believe every leaf and piece of grass can dance in the wind. In my hometown, everyone can sing and dance, an age-old tradition. However, when it is linked to profession or profit, dance may lose its original charm.
Q: What do you think of dance reality show?
A: There is always a good and bad side to everything. Televised contests can discover untapped talents and bring quick fame and glory. But if they don't take dance seriously as an art that requires a lifetime to pursue and perfect, the glory actually means nothing.
Q: What are your plans?
A: Dancing is part of my life. After the final performance, I will leave the stage to young people and spend more time and energy on creating dance dramas. I will never stop dancing. I can dance everywhere - by a lake, in a field of flowers or in the living room of my house.
After the show in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, she plans to devote herself to choreographing new dance dramas and discovering new talents in dance.
Ever since Yunnan-born Yang won first prize in a national dance competition in 1986, she has been delighting audiences with both her solo performances and the ethnic dance dramas she has choreographed.
Tonight the 54-year-old dancer will be a judge of the final of China Central Television's dance reality competition "Dancing My Life," inspired by ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
In a recent interview, she told Shanghai Daily she was impressed by the stories, passion and perseverance of the grassroots dancers who team up with celebrities in the competition.
"I never give sharp comments on their performance," Yang said. "I know how much it takes for a dancer. I try to make my words inspirational and encouraging. To achieve a bigger success on stage, they need to forget about competition."
Born into a poor family of Yunnan Province, she found dance both a consolation and inspiration.
She rose to overnight fame in 1986 with her dance creation "Soul of the Peacock."
She has performed in more than 30 countries and choreographed and directed spectacles such as "Dynamic Yunnan," "Echoes of Shangri-La" and "Tibetan Myth."
Q: What does "Peacock" convey?
A: Both peacock and phoenix have their cultural essence. They symbolize the Oriental feminine totem. "Peacock" is mostly about love and life, representing a common humanity and telling a story about nature and growth. We started a national tour last year and it has been well-received by people of different ages and backgrounds. To my surprise, everyone has their own understanding and interpretation.
Q: As a grassroots dancer who didn't attend professional dance college, what do you want to share with young dancers starting out?
A: Dancing is a way for me to communicate and interact with people. Meanwhile, I feel fulfilled and happy in the process. I have gained a lot from dancing and will always be grateful.
Q: Have you discovered talent through the TV competition?
A: In my eyes, everyone has a gift and has potential to be a wonderful dancer. I believe every leaf and piece of grass can dance in the wind. In my hometown, everyone can sing and dance, an age-old tradition. However, when it is linked to profession or profit, dance may lose its original charm.
Q: What do you think of dance reality show?
A: There is always a good and bad side to everything. Televised contests can discover untapped talents and bring quick fame and glory. But if they don't take dance seriously as an art that requires a lifetime to pursue and perfect, the glory actually means nothing.
Q: What are your plans?
A: Dancing is part of my life. After the final performance, I will leave the stage to young people and spend more time and energy on creating dance dramas. I will never stop dancing. I can dance everywhere - by a lake, in a field of flowers or in the living room of my house.
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