Two pingtan performers put on a show. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Pingtan, also known as Suzhou pingtan, is a storytelling and singing art form in the Suzhou dialect that has gradually prospered in the northern Yangtze River region.

During the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Qidong in Nantong, situated closely to the Yangtze River, emerged as a hotspot for pingtan. Here, a distinctive genre known as pingtan beidiao, or northern tune of pingtan, evolved over a span of more than a century, integrating elements of local folk music, opera, and dialect.

Qidong pingtan boasts easy-to-understand language, clear pronunciation, and beautiful prolonged sound. Performers typically accompany their acts with cymbals, sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument), pipa, and other traditional Chinese musical instruments.

The question arises: What can be done to revitalize such a time-honored art?

In recent years, the Qidong Pingtan Troupe has innovated by creating new shows while preserving tradition. Notable productions such as Girl in a Wheelchair and Ode to Zhang Jian have been well received by pingtan enthusiasts.

Girl in a Wheelchair, based on the life of Qidong native Su Xiaolin, who, despite congenital limb disabilities, has helped over 100 people with disabilities, has been performed in Nantong, Suzhou, Shanghai, and various other Chinese cities. The production has captivated audiences of all ages, amassing over 1 million attendees.