China Folk Song: Feng Yang Flower Drum 鳳陽花鼓

 

Fengyang Flower Drum is also called Double-struck Drum. It was originally performed by two sisters-in-law. One beat the drum; the other beat the gong and sang. The songs were about people's sad life in the past. Since the open and reform of China, the form and contents of this art have got a great development.

It mainly serves for enjoyment. In the past, there were only two persons acting antiphonal singing. However, song, dance and opera have been developed combined together later on. In nowadays, there are two people acting singing and dancing, people leading singing and dancing and a group of people singing and dancing together.

The singing is more popular both in urban areas and countryside. Fengyang people often perform this art enthusiastically to celebrate their happy events or to welcome their guests. Modern skills have been absorbed into the art.

With its local flavor and more varieties, Fengyang Flower-drum is becoming more and more popular. In recent years, the troupes have performed both at home and abroad and won many prizes.