The current state of shadow drama

However, the current situation of the shadow play in Hehuang region is little optimistic. The carving artists and actors are over one hundred years old that their exquisite skills are about to be lost. Apart from that, more and more entertainment forms cast shadow on the shadow play which has lost its public attraction. What on earth hinder the development of the shadow play in China? What can we do to save this brilliant art and revive it?

Undoubtedly, the traditional shadow play has inevitable limitations in many aspects, which are also the biggest obstacles from being adapt to the present fast paced society. The elaboration and the wonderful colors that beat nature have enchanted numerous artists. No wander its making is so difficult. The making of a puppet covers over ten processes, such as making the fur, designing, carving and painting. These complex processes, fairly to say, will cost an artist's several weeks of time, not taking into account the possibility of an all-over start for merely a tiny irretrievable mistake. Meanwhile, it is difficult to retain the finished puppets for the long-term sunburn will fade away its colors and the temperature and humidity changes may result in the deformation of the puppets. It is undoubtedly a fatal weakness in this industrialized society of mass production.

In recent years the country has attached great importance to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. The shadow play performed by Tan family's troupe in Dahua Town, where our school also locates in, has been approved to be listed into the first group of national intangible cultural heritage.

 

Technical support:Town and Talent Technologies (China) Ltd.Co