Shadow play, a traditional Chinese folk art with a history of more than 2,000 years, has embarked on a path towards revival after a period of marked decline, thanks to conservation efforts and lasting interest in rural areas.

Known as a precursor of modern cinema, shadow play is a kind of drama in which silhouettes made of hard paper and buffalo and donkey hide are projected onto a white screen. The performer manipulates the characters behind the screen while singing the libretto to tell the story. The story-telling is accompanied by music.

Chinese shadow play, which came into being during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) in northwest China's Shanxi Province, spread to South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and North Africa in the 13th century. The ancient Chinese art spread to Europe in the 17th century. The famous German poet Goethe staged European opera in the form of Chinese shadow play, and modern movies derived, in part, from the ancient art.

Shadow play, with distinctive folklore styles, had long been almost the only entertainment in Chinese villages till two decades ago.

But the ancient art gradually fell from the limelight due to the impact of modern audio-visual media such as television and movies. Many shadow play groups have been disbanded, and many of the most talented artists have died. In many areas, certain types of plays and the art of performance are actually nearing extinction.

Fortunately, shadow play is still alive and warmly welcomed among people in some rural areas in China.

A creaking shoulder pole, three shabby cases of stage properties, and six simple-hearted performers who look like local villagers -- all these constitute a Chinese shadow play troupe named Shanhua.

Editor: Richard Lee.