Tianshange is a unique form of folk tune in Wu dialect (spoken in Shanghai, Zhejiang Province, and in southeastern Jiangsu Province). The Tianshange in Qingpu District, Shanghai, boasts distinctive regional features. The earliest recorded reference to Qingpu Tianshange dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and in 2008, this form of art was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage items of China.
As the name Tianshan (ge is song in Chinese) — literally meaning “fields and hills” — indicates, the development and popularity of these tunes is closely linked with the region’s agricultural lifestyle. Qingpu sits in a major rice production zone in China. In the past, Qingpu employed a labor-intensive farming method, so when farmers worked in fields together, one person acting as a lead singer would start a song and others took turns in following him. Singing while performing intensive labor uplifted spirits and relieved fatigue, and also helped improve coordination for tasks. At its peak, the uplifting, clear tunes of Tianshange were also sung beyond fields as leisure activities and at gatherings.
A typical Tianshange song generally consists of a solo, chorus, men’s chorus, women’s chorus, and other sections. The melodies are often high-pitched and dynamic, and the lyrics cover all aspects of everyday life, folk customs, and sentiments of the local community.
Four preservation bases were set up in Qingpu to better preserve, pass down, and showcase the unique charm of Tianshange. The base in Zhujiajiao has opened a new path of innovative performance by singing Tianshange on its picturesque water-town landscape.
Today, visitors to Zhujiajiao can enjoy the lovely tunes of Tianshange in traditional teahouses, while sipping tea and having green bean snacks. In this ancient town, there is a creative team dedicated to composing songs and musicals based on Tianshange and imparting education about this art at local schools. Their productions have shone at major events such as the China International Import Expo and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia Summit, expanding their fan base worldwide.
