Many forms of performance, for example temple dances, are, in fact, regarded as offerings, prayers, gaining merit or a kind of spiritual meditation. In most of the Asian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, such a strict division between the sinful body and “pure” spirituality has not existed and thus the human body has retained its holiness it has been accepted as a worthy medium to praise even spirits and gods. God may be praised through the visual arts, architecture and even singing, but more physical expressions were more or less prohibited in a religious context. In the monotheistic religions that originated in the Near East, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, the human body is regarded as something sinful and thus corporal art forms were banished from their rituals.
This may be at least partly explained by religious attitudes. In Asia, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, the bond between religion and theatre and dance is very strong even today. Miettinenĭance offering in a Hindu temple in Lopburi, Thailand Jukka O. It is regarded as an expression of the aesthetic ideal of opera in traditional Chinese society and remains a widely recognized element of the country’s cultural heritage.A Buddhist procession in Burma Jukka O. Peking opera is transmitted largely through master-student training with trainees learning basic skills through oral instruction, observation and imitation. Costumes are flamboyant and the exaggerated facial make-up uses concise symbols, colours and patterns to portray characters’ personalities and social identities. Traditionally, stage settings and props are kept to a minimum. Performance is characterized by a formulaic and symbolic style with actors and actresses following established choreography for movements of hands, eyes, torsos, and feet. ‘Civilian plays’ emphasize string and wind instruments such as the thin, high-pitched jinghu and the flute dizi, while ‘military plays’ feature percussion instruments like the bangu or daluo.
The music of Peking opera plays a key role in setting the pace of the show, creating a particular atmosphere, shaping the characters, and guiding the progress of the stories. They tell stories of history, politics, society and daily life and aspire to inform as they entertain. Peking opera is sung and recited using primarily Beijing dialect, and its librettos are composed according to a strict set of rules that prize form and rhyme.
Although widely practised throughout China, its performance centres on Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. Peking opera is a performance art incorporating singing, reciting, acting, martial arts. © 2009 by Han wen / Beijing Bureau of Culture :
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