On Cultural Exchange and Mutual Learning between Eastern and Western Dramas in the 13th-14th Centuries
The Western Regions are one of the important places for the origin of Chinese theatrical art.Various ethnic groups from the Western Regions,such as the Uygurs,proficient in singing and dancing,learned from Indian Buddhist theatrical performance art and continually transmitted it eastward,influencing the drama performance in the northern Central Plains of ancient China.The Buddhist play"Sā iriputraprakana"from around the 1st century,the Uygur-scripted"Maitreya Meeting Record"from the 7th-10th centuries,and the Dunhuang Han Chinese-scripted play"Shakyamuni's Marital Affinity"are such typical examples of the dramas popular in the Western Regions during various historical periods and their translations represent the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.In the 13th-14th centuries,with the expansion of East-West transportation,the telling and singing literature popular in Dunhuang and Turpan had a golden-age interaction with theatrical art popular in Central Plains,and the influence of Western Regions drama led to significant changes in Chinese drama.The performance style transformed from narrative to representational,and there were substantial breakthroughs in musical compositions and impacts on the Chinese vocal system.Guan Yunshi and Xue Angfu,prominent Yuan Dynasty poets from the migrating Uygur group,made significant contributions to Yuan drama through their work in music and literary content.
Western Regions DramaYuan DramaPoets of the Western Regions
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