Known as being very low-key, Yang Liping appeared in the media for the first time to promote the large-scale dance drama "Dynamic Yunnan" in Beijing beginning April 10. Yang unveils the mystery and charm of this Chinese top dance prizewinner, which she choreographed and directed herself.

  No Frills

This large-scale dance drama, which raises the notion of "original dance" for the first time comprehensively exposes the hard work, love and beliefs of Yunnan people.

"We just reintegrate the essence of the simple and unadorned dances in the mountains and villages and demonstrate the most original elements of the dances of the ethnic groups," explains Yang. "If you would like to crawl on the ground, you will find the grass here can dance; if you would like to hear with your soul, you will find the stones here can talk. The dance here is also characterized with its unadorned manner."

  Peasant Performers

Yang has spent 15 months collecting folk dances from the villages and mountains of Yunnan Province . Having watched a great number of genuine folk dances, Yang condensed the most representative movements to create "Dynamic Yunnan."

"This is a spiritual journey for me," noted Yang. "My work is to discover and polish the gems so they glitter again." Yang insists farmer dancers participate in the piece because "they are the people who dance for love and life with 'original spirit.'"