Legacy carved in stone

The 10-chapter, 100-minute dance drama is the tale of a young refugee named Xiao Fu. Fleeing to Dazu during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), he seeks sanctuary among local rock carvers, embracing their simple joys and aspirations for a brighter tomorrow. However, when a rockslide occurs, he pledges to immortalize the names of his departed family members by carving them on the cliffs, ensuring their memory lasts forever.

"The stage presentation was challenging, with a deep sense of reverence. We drew inspiration from the details of the carvings, capturing their lifelike appearances," Zhang says.

She adds that every aspect, from characters and costumes to design, movements and props, was created to reflect the poetic essence of these portrayals of everyday rural life.

For instance, figures such as the flute-playing woman, the chicken-raising woman, the cattle herder, and the woman wine seller, as well as Graceful Guanyin (Avalokitesvara, or the Goddess of Mercy), Water-moon Guanyin, and the Buddhist monk Zhigong (418-514) are brought to life in the drama.

The 40 performers, 18 women and 22 men, radiate an ancient charm that encapsulates the aesthetics of the Song Dynasty, according to Zhang, who adds that the production included some core members of the team behind another hit, Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting.

A large mirror onstage was used as a backdrop, according to Gao Guangjian, the drama's visual director and set designer.

A variety of multimedia techniques was used to create a distinct realm, enabling the exploration of the dynamic interplay between reality and faith.

"The Dazu Rock Carvings are a priceless treasure, and belong to humanity," says Li Fangyin, former director of Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute.

"Their deep content, such as philosophical ideas, humanistic principles, values and morals, helped us to further tap their worth through creative efforts," Li adds.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the country has increasingly focused on the conservation and use of cultural heritage and grotto temples.