China News Service, Guangzhou, February 18 (Reporter Sun Qiuxia) During the Spring Festival this year, Chaoshan Ying singing and dancing became popular again. Recently, the "Wild Song" performance on the streets of Shenzhen attracted the attention of netizens. In an interview with a reporter from China News Service, Chen Laifa, coach of the Puning Nanshan Ying Singing Team and the national representative inheritor of Puning Ying Singing and Dance, said that the Ying Singing and Dance must be innovative, but it cannot change its flavor.
The picture shows Pu Ningying singing and dancing. Photo by Li Zhengfeng
Yingge is a folk square dance that integrates dance, Nanquan routines, and opera acting skills. The performance is magnificent and has a history of more than 300 years. It is considered to be a symbol of promoting good and suppressing evil, auspiciousness and peace. In the Chaoshan area, Yingge is an indispensable item during the New Year and festivals. Chaoyang Yingge, Jiazi Yingge, and Puning Yingge are included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.
It is understood that the basic movement of Ying Ge Dance is the stick dance. During the dance, each person holds two short round wooden sticks, with their feet in a squatting crotch position on a horse, lifting their legs to leap sideways, and hitting the wooden sticks up, down, left, and right in accordance with the rhythm of gongs and drums. The stick, head and body sway naturally. When the dance reaches its climax, shouts and conch trumpets resound in all directions, which is majestic and shocking.
However, although the performers of Shenzhen’s “Wild Yingge” were dressed in Chaoshan Yingge costumes, they wore masks on their faces and no facial makeup. They held wooden sticks and gently beat left and right to the beat, and they also performed live during the performance. Street dance looks very different from traditional Chaoshan singing and dancing.
Chen Laifa told reporters that while innovating, Yingge and dance must retain the traditions left by their ancestors and bring out the foundation of Yingge and dance. Yingge and dance contain Nanquan routines, and only when the horse steps are danced steadily can they be powerful.
"The Ying Ge and Dance is based on the story of the heroic rescue of Lu Junyi from Daming Mansion in "Water Margin". We use these storylines to choreograph the Ying Ge and Dance. Our team members don't learn it right away when they come in. Sometimes they learn for four or five years before going out to perform. It would be a good thing if the British singing and dancing can be promoted, but it needs to be guided by a regular master, otherwise it will change the taste." Chen Laifa said. (over)