Liaozhai popular music was formed in the beginning of theQing Dynasty(1644-1911), when the great writerPu Songlingcreated a unique literary genre of song lyrics. Since Pu's house was known as Liaozhai, the name of the genre became Liaozhai popular music.
This folk music is mainly popular in Zibo, Pu's hometown. Pu came from a rich, aristocratic family with a tradition of making music. Pu used his experience to complete 15 pieces of popular music in his later years. These creations are extremely valuable whether in literature or music. Some representative works including the Playing Children and the Pink Lotus.
Liaozhai popular music vividly reflects life in the late feudal period, and was deeply loved by local people. It gradually became a unique mass art form in Shandong. It also influenced other art forms, such as theBeijingOpera and theSichuan Opera.
There are now 15 manuscripts of Liaozhai popular music that have been published. The originals have been lost. However, with the singers becoming older and researchers fewer, protective measures need to be taken as soon as possible to keep this piece of cultural heritage alive.
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