Spic Macay brings Chinese Opera to XLRI, Jamshedpur

The Jamshedpur chapter of Spic Macay with the support of the XLRI sub-chapter is fast becoming a portal for the preservation and dissemination of culture among the residents of Jamshedpur. In keeping with the spirit of promoting diverse cultures among the youth, the XLRI sub-chapter of Spic Macay’s Jamshedpur chapter organized a lecture-demonstration on KUNQU OPERA by the award winning performer Ke Jun. The Kunqu Opera crisscrosses various Cities across the Country and continuing with their performances, the Small Auditorium at XLRI hosted the Opera on December 14 at 7 pm.

Kunqu is China's oldest and one of its most influential theatrical traditions. A Kunqu play consists of more than 24 scenes - accompanied by arias - with a complex plot and subplots involving human or supernatural elements. The performance usually features 12 actors who employ gestures, pantomime, mock combat as well as stylized dancing and singing. Kunqu is famous for its music and its poetical style of wording. The cast is made up of founding members who are graduates of the Theatre School of Jiangsu Province of the 1960s and 1980s. They have undergone stringent training, with a performing style that is a direct lineage of the 'Chuan' generation of virtuosi and artists.

Kunqu was recently proclaimed by UNESCO as one of the first 19 masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The aim of this initiative is to encourage governments, NGOs and local communities to take the lead in identifying, preserving and drawing attention to their oral and intangible heritage.