What if we say that face changing is not cinematic science fiction but a reality. Chinese culture allows performers to do that. This art is known as Bian-Lian.
It’s a Chinese dramatic art form that refers to “two-faced” with a whole new meaning.
It’s a unique strand of Sichuan Opera which emerged around 1700, in which the performers wear bright, dramatic costumes that include vivid colored masks and move to quick rhythmic music.
As the performers move they change faces with lightning speed going from one mask to another.
History of Bian Lian :-
One story behind this face changing tradition seems to be roaming around that Bian Lian began as a mythical Robin Hood type character.
The man used that art to avoid being captured by others. There is another story, this Sichuan Opera became popular during the Sung Dynasty.
Because of limited resources , actors often played more than one role in a production.
Types of Bian Lian face change :-
- Big : It is the most impressive form of Bian Lian performance. Big face changing is the change of an entire big mask. It changes the entire face image of the performers.
- Small : This face changing is the art of changing a particular part of the face. It can be eye brows or beared or anything else. Small changing part is to express the emotions or different moods an opera character might have.
Methods of Changing :-
- Plastering is the technique of extending the makeup on the mask.
- Powdering is the blowing of a hidden bod of colored powder onto the face to change its color.
- Pulling is the most difficult but most impressive technique. In this technique, face masks get changed instantly without the touch of any body part. It is impressive because performers switch between a huge number of masks in a short time. Performers can change their face with 10 different masks within 20 seconds. It takes 2 mins per mask change.
How does the switching of masks work?
The secret of Bian Lian is only known by the masters of this tradition. Its secret is carefully guarded and truly known by very few in Sichuan Opera. They pass this tradition from generation to generation.
Many people surmised that there might be a wire system to hold all the masks inside the opera garments.
It can be manipulated by special actions of artist movements on stage. This artistry and workmanship required a lot of hard work and techniques to change different types of masks that may be huge and differ in varies.
The mechanism and the misdirection of changing masks hold the performers impressive work.
Though it was passed by generation, nowadays the techniques of this tradition seem anyone can learn by attending the Sichuan Opera School although we think the students are sworn to secrecy.
Women were forbidden to learn this because in ancient times people thought they would marry and leave their family and immediately start blabbing about the secret behind this culture.
But in modern times, women are also performing this traditional artistry gracefully.
Where can you find Bian Lian?
Where there is Sichuan Opera , there will be Bian Lian. Now the question is , “then where is Sichuan Opera?”
Well, Sichuan state obviously. Here is the list of places to see Bian Lian in Sichuan and Chengdu City.
- Shufeng Opera House_ Address: Chengdu Qintai Lu #23
- Shunxing Old Teahouse: Cuisine and Culture_ Address: 258 Shawan Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu
- Jinjiang Theater_Address : No.54 Huaxing Street
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Writer,
Ayesha Siddika Hamim
Intern, Content Writing Department .
YSSE