Chapter 96 A Good Show Conducive to National Unity——After Watching Yue Opera "Princess Wencheng"

In the relationship between various ethnic groups in Chinese history, Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty married Tubo (now Tibet) is a very beautiful and meaningful story.This beautiful marriage of flesh and blood between the Han and Tibetan races, and the far-reaching and huge impact of the cultural exchanges related to this marriage, are all legendaryly recorded in Tibetan books."Princess Wencheng's Marriage to Tubo" written by Sangbuza and "Princess Wencheng" in "History of Tibet's Politics and Education" describe the ins and outs of Songtsan Gampo's proposal of marriage, and the rich dowry of Princess Wencheng, etc. The Biography of Tubo in the Book of Tang is much more detailed. "Princess Wencheng" is one of the traditional repertoires in Tibetan opera. Tibetan folk songs are full of kindness and reverence for Princess Wencheng.In the Potala Palace, there are statues of Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng, and the relics of their wedding chambers are preserved in the palace.The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa is said to have been built by Princess Wencheng; there are two princess willows in front of the gate, which are said to have been planted by the princess, and legends say that it grew from the princess's hair...Generally speaking, Tibet is almost full of precious traces of the unbreakable friendship and close cultural exchanges between the Han and Tibetan races left by Princess Wencheng.

During the more than 390 years of the Tang Dynasty's rule, Princess Wencheng was not the only one who married princesses from various ethnic groups in the frontier. For example, Princess Honghua married Nuohebo (Tuguhun) and Princess Ningguo married Gele Khan (Huihe). ), Princess Anhua married Longshun (Nanzhao), Princess Jinshan married Mochu Khan (Turk), etc., but Princess Wencheng married Songtsan Gampo, she is very concerned about the unity and cultural exchanges between Tang and Tibet. The great contribution of the princess is clearly recorded in the documents of Tang and Fan, which is more outstanding than other princesses.Lovely and revered by the Tibetan people as the "Lord of the Enlightened Scriptures", Princess Wencheng, who understands righteousness and has a far-sighted vision, is especially worthy of our praise.

Over the years, I have always hoped to see a historical novel about Princess Wencheng created by someone close to me, or to stage the story of Princess Wencheng's faraway marriage.It was not until a few days ago that I saw Princess Wencheng performed in Chinese for the first time. This was created and performed by the young Tianjin Yue Opera Troupe to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.I am very happy to have watched it, I think it is a good show that is conducive to national unity! The writing of the script of "Princess Wencheng" is very meticulous. The author has integrated all the records about the Han and Tibetan races that Princess Wencheng married far away, as well as the beautiful and wonderful parts of the legend.It is art, music, and clothing. I listened and watched, and felt that there are many references to Tibetan customs and habits. For example, in the scene of "Meeting in Heyuan", the flags, banners and hats of the welcoming team all refer to Tibetan opera costumes Designed for props, it looks more real.

As the saying goes, "No coincidence, no book", no contradiction, no drama.In this play, the atmosphere of friendship and unity between the Han and Tibetan ethnic groups runs through like a red line.On the Tubo side, it was a warm invitation to marry, while on the Tang side it was a happy marriage proposal.Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng are willing to marry each other and the other is willing to marry. No amount of provocation can destroy their marriage.The contradiction in this play is placed on Zhi Gongdun, the deputy minister of the careerist Tubo, who obstructed this marriage in every possible way, and on Zhi Gongdun's conspiracy to poison Zanpu and the princess. Happy heart is the end of the whole play.

In addition to Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo, Tubo Grand Minister Lu Dongzan is the prominent figure in the play.This Prime Minister, in Tibetan literature, is an envoy of intelligence and wisdom; in this play, he is even more handsome as a young man, with extraordinary splendor, and he always emphasizes "Tang and Tibet will live forever and forever", and in "Try" In the two scenes of "Emissary" and "Farewell", what he said to Princess Wencheng were all words of loyalty and unity that were conducive to friendship and unity.As for Songtsan Gampo on the stage, he is really a master of talent and strategy. He has infinite yearning for the Tang Dynasty.When referring to Princess Wencheng, Zanpu sang: All things are full of flowers and colorful phoenixes descending like Tubo land. Written in praise of cattle and craftsmen.In the "Welcome" scene, the majestic Zanpu dances with his whip and horse, and gallops across the grasslands and rivers, which can express his excitement, happiness, and anxiety.Such a hearty and heroic style is rare in traditional performances of Yue opera.It should be said that this is a gratifying creation.

Princess Wencheng, needless to say, is the figure that both the playwright and the audience focus on.She is: colorful butterflies fluttering around the side, reciting the scriptures, leaving the Buddhist hall with light smoke and red make-up.When the traitor Zhi Gongdun took advantage of the arrogance of Li Daozong, the Jiangxia king who sent his relatives away in the Tang Dynasty, and slandered Zanpu for missing the appointment. When Li Daozong was about to fall into the trap, the princess resolutely stepped forward and said to Li Daozong: If you act rashly, you will be in trouble. The justifiable words of loss of harmony and happiness turned into enmity instead made Zhi Gongdun retreat in horror and had to temporarily change his plot.This episode fully demonstrates the princess's prompt decision and extraordinary talent.

In the development of the story and contradictions, there are several tense "suspense" scenes, such as Lu Dongzan's attempt to recognize Princess Wencheng among a hundred masked girls in the "Trial Marriage" scene; In the scene, the poisoned wine that Zhi Gongdun took had been poured into Zanpu's cup. Zanpu toasted several times to drink it, but handed it to the princess again; the princess almost drank it, when suddenly Lu Dong Zan's wife, Duan Huiying, came from Chang'an, and the glass of poisoned wine was handed to Duan Huiying. Finally, the court lady who caught Zhi Gongdun poisoning and was beaten unconscious by him woke up from behind the screen and walked out, and the audience fell down like a stone. ground.The handling of this section is also good.

The actors who played the roles of Princess Wencheng, Songtsan Gampo, Lu Dongzan and Zhi Gongdun can sing and act, just right.The other actors did not let up, making the whole play very round and compact. On the car back after watching the play, I talked with a friend: In a play that should be performed within three hours, we should show Princess Wencheng’s great contribution to Sino-Tibetan cultural exchanges, and what she brought will always be of great value to the Tibetan people. What the people are grateful for, the huge cultural and technical team is almost impossible.But I suddenly remembered that in a kabuki I saw in Japan, it was like the story of "a fat girl learning the tongue" in our Kunqu opera. Two people were talking and describing the past grand occasion in front of the stage. The continuous procession is not dressed up by people but paper-cut or wooden, colorful flags are fluttering, and gongs and drums are passing by. There are people and livestock in this procession, which makes the scene very lively and vivid.I think, if this artistic treatment is also used in the "Farewell" scene, when Tang Taizong and Princess Wencheng bid farewell in front of the stage, singing and acting, a magnificent and continuous procession may also pass behind, and the farewell The sound of music may make the audience feel the great significance of Tang and Tibetan reconciliation and cultural exchanges.I am really a layman when it comes to stage art!But tell me what I have seen, I wonder if it can be used in this play?January 15, 1960