Mute Mulian

Mute Mulian is a form of silent dance drama that combines gestures, body movements, and martial arts to portray the plot.

Mute Mulian in Xixi has a long history, and the earliest record of it is that Wang Songren (1472-1528) from Yuyao during the Chenghua and Jiajing reigns of the Ming Dynasty commented on Mulian Play, saying, "The words are not as beautiful as those in the West Wing, but are more filial and righteous." During the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, Hu Wenhuan from Hangzhou compiled the "Selection of Various Music - All Tunes," which includes a segment from the Mute Mulian play called "Little Nun."

"Xixi Mute Mulian Play," also known as Quanshan Play, Taiping Play, or Religious Play, is an ancient traditional drama passed down in the old Dongyue area. It derived its name from the story of "Mulian Rescuing His Mother." In late Qing Dynasty, the Dongyue Temple Fair was very famous in Hangzhou and even in the entire Zhejiang region. The Mute Mulian was a "community play" at that time during the Dongyue Temple Fair, characterized by the absence of dialogue in performances. The plot was mainly portrayed through dance, gestures, facial expressions, and martial arts. It was a unique form of silent dance popular among the public. Performers primarily came from the Shaoxing area, and after the victory of the anti-Japanese war, villagers from the old Dongyue area spontaneously formed groups to perform the Mute Mulian play. The play included several scenes from "Mulian Rescuing His Mother," such as "Capturing Lady Liu" and "Delivering Night Meal." The Mute Mulian play flourished at that time due to its diverse theatrical forms, inclusive performance techniques, rich musical resources, and seamless integration of scenes. However, after the liberation, performances of Mute Mulian gradually disappeared. Many people have heard their elderly relatives talk about the Mute Mulian play but have rarely watched it themselves.

During performances, there are certain requirements: "steady steps, calm demeanor, graceful dance, and authentic movements." The musical instruments mainly consist of Mulian horns (pioneer horns), gongs and large cymbals. Fireworks are set off before the performance to create an atmosphere in harmony with the plot. The inheritance of Mute Mulian did not rely on written scripts but rather on the oral teachings of senior artists or the transmission from one generation to another through firsthand experience.

In 2007, Mute Mulian was included in the representative list of intangible cultural heritage elements in Zhejiang Province.