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Millennia-old melodies to survive modern times

By Cui Jia (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-06-18 16:58

It is a set of melodies that stretches back 1,500 years, flowing out of the rich culture of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Millennia-old melodies to survive modern times

A local man plays traditional music. Picture taken in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on May 17, 2009. [chinadaily.com.cn]

But the Uygur Muqam art form and its traditional instruments are now being pushed to extinction by urban Uygur teens who are more interested in pop music and electronic guitars.

"The Muqam performances have helped to preserve and promote values in Uygur youth, building their character and spirit," said Norqamu, a 71-year-old Muqam artist who has been performing the music for almost six decades.

"It's a pity for us to see Uygur instruments such as the Satar and Tanbar being replaced by electronic instruments," he said.

The Muqam is a musical mode and set of melodic formulas used to guide improvisation and composition. The system developed over the millennia and has also led to many musical genres among the people of Eurasia and North Africa.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization also designated Xinjiang's Uygur Muqam as part of an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005.

"Muqam to me is not just an art, it's my life," said 60-year-old Tusanes, who plays the Satar stringed instrument in his Muqam band.

"Most of the artists in my band are over 60, I would like to see more youngsters joining us."

The government is now introducing five measures to help keep the ancient Uygur music and its accompanying songs and ballads alive, so that Uygur cultural tradition and customs can be absorbed, adapted, documented and refined into various contemporary productions to be enjoyed by all ethnic groups.

The measures include documenting the lyrics and melodies, providing professional training, setting up educational centers, sponsoring artists and raising awareness of the effort through the media.

"We hope people, especially youngsters, can understand and accept the Uygur Muqam … to protect, inherit and promote this ethnic treasure," said Li Jilian, secretary and deputy director of the Xinjiang Art Research Institute.

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