Next generation

When Yao Liang, a musician and teacher at a vocational school in Hechi, approached Wei to customize a set of 13 small bronze drums to help his performances and outreach programs, the craftsman accepted the challenge immediately.

"It was different because we needed to create small drums that suited his tones and needs. But we knew it could help promote our traditions," Wei said.

Yao, 47, who is a member of the Mulam ethnic group, has used his drums to meld and mix traditional and modern music, creating his own popular renditions for music videos and other entertainment platforms to help raise awareness and appreciation of the instrument's heritage.

"I've had international collaboration and performances throughout the country and abroad, including Southeast Asia. These cultural exchanges have been very rewarding," Yao said.

The efforts and enthusiasm of the music teacher, who has a lower-limb impairment following a military training injury three decades ago, have inspired many people, including his student Lan Baoshi.

Under Yao's guidance and encouragement, 20-year-old Lan, who is visually impaired, plays the piano in performances with his teacher who accompanies him on the bronze drums. The pair perform pieces from the region's iconic musical drama, Liu Sanjie. "I've been to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to perform," Lan said. "I want to be a music teacher as well."

As part of their cultural exchange and education programs to bring the heritage of the bronze drums closer to the community, Yao also conducts classes at the local kindergarten.

"I want to give the children an early opportunity to keep in touch with their musical traditions," Yao said.

Most of the 1,130 children at the school are from local ethnic groups including the Miao and Mulam, with many of them able to try their hand at playing Yao's bronze drums, nurturing their interest in the traditional instruments.

"Our students can grasp most of the movements," school principal Wei Hong said.

"They are able to learn and practice the drums, and better value their ethnic heritage."

Li Ziyu contributed to this story.