Written by: Aliya Farooq Pasha
Posted on: May 14 ,2018 | 
| 中文
Folk Music Ensemble 'Blooming Flowers and Full Moon'
To celebrate the 67th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, an extravaganza of music from both the countries was organized jointly by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan, China Cultural Center in Pakistan and NICE, Network of International Cultural Entities. Held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad on the evening of 11th May, renowned musicians/artists from China and Pakistan collaborated in order to bring myriad shades and nuances of regional music to an expectant and eager audience.
The China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre have brought Chinese classical music already popular among the Chinese public, to the Pakistani audiences. A pleasant ambience and a resplendent stage set ablaze in traditional Chinese red backdrop greeted the eye on entering the main hall, packed with capacity.
The arrival of honorable guests marked the opening of the concert. The Chief Guest of the occasion was the Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Yao Jing. Other notable guests included Federal Minister of State and Frontier Regions, Lt. General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch and Mr. Jamal Shah, Director General PNCA. Welcome address and introduction of the programme was presented in English by Miss Ayiijang Bahatihan and in Urdu by Miss Ayesha. The host and co-host reiterated that the special concert will showcase the traditional musical instruments of China such as Guzhang, Zhongruan, Pipa (all Chinese plucked stringed instruments) and a four-stringed Chinese instrument. Pakistani artists also exhibited their skill on local musical instruments like the Flute, Rubaab (lute like musPipa and Zheng Duet, 'Moonlight over the Spring River'ical instrument), Violin and tabla (pair of drums).
The musical performances included in the event revolved around the theme of spring, with life and colour coming back to the land. Folk Musical Ensemble ‘Beaming with Joy` was the first folk music piece played on the Percussion and Violin to a rapt audience. It was created in 1958 by the late master Liu Mingyuan. Swift and cheerful nature of rhythm is reminiscent of a relaxed and festive atmosphere. Followed by another piece, Folk Music Ensemble ‘Golden Snake Dance` , the nine musicians looked picture perfect in apparels of bright yellow, blue, pink, red and white to match the melody ,full of enthusiasm and vitality.
Other performances included ‘Spring to Quingjiang` a Dulcimer solo describing the arrival of spring on the banks of Qing River, ‘Fishing Boat in the Evening` depicting the sunset reflected on the vast blue waves and the fisherman’s leisure, ‘Spring has Arrived` , a delightful combination of trickling creek sounds flowing in a novel and colourful style. In ‘Yunnan Memories`, the musical work expresses deep attachment and reverence to a time past yet never forgotten. ‘New Horse Racing`, recreated the tapping of the horses’ hooves with its grand momentum and unrestrained melody. Pipa Solo ‘Dragon Boat` and ‘Moonlight over the Spring River` were contrasting musical performances. The former was full of drum notes depicting the warmth of the Dragon Boat Festival while the latter was based on lyrics of a poem which shows the passage of time and how life spans from generation to generation. ‘The Sword Dance’ recreated a popular dance in the Tang Dynasty, based on Du Fu’s poetry. ‘The Bamboo Flute` solo is called three-five-seven based on the number of characters of the first few words of the song. The last two were opera tunes, ‘Stillness of the Night` and folk music ‘Blooming Flowers and Full Moon`. Thunderous applause followed the culmination of the Chinese artists’ performances. Pakistani musicians joined their Chinese counterparts in playing violin and tabla. Mr.Raees Ahmed, violinist and Salman Adil, flutist enthralled one and all by playing popular tunes while Zafar Khan picked a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa folk melody on Rubaab.
The expertise of the artists lay in making an elaborate piece flow effortlessly and freely. All tunes were equally enjoyed by the Chinese and Pakistani audiences present on the occasion. Such celebrations allow the people of the two countries to come together and provide enjoyable opportunity to understand and appreciate the multifaceted culture and traditions on both sides.
All pictures have been provided by the writer
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