HAJI MAJI

Another excellent record. A definite Southeast Asian flair - really nice!

Sorry Dave, I took forever!
Initial asking around, one said this record is recorded in Thailand
The red words on the left lines can be loosely translated as “Thailand Capital Teochew Tunes”

From my research for an exhibition on Teochew traditional arts in Singapore, Teochew opera and music only became popular in Singapore around 1957 with the influx of Teochew Opera movies from the Shantou of Guangdong - mainly from the Opera School there.

Before 1957, Teochew Opera and music was deemed as a low-class art form for the average masses, as
a) the language used were daily speech & slangs (versus Official Court jargon used by the officials during the last few Dynasties of China in Wai Jiang Opera {The 1st Teochew Opera form popular in SG, Malaysia & Indonesia since 1910 - 1960s)
b) the opera is performed by male & female children who are earning a living (versus Wai Jiang - the high-class opera performed for the elites & educated, & also a popular recreation form for the rich)

Teochew Opera is a relatively new opera form in China, evolved from a juxtaposition of multiple opera forms that trickled into Teochew-speaking region of Guangdong (a political & economic backwater location for centuries).

The characteristics of Teochew Opera & music displays clear signs of its evolution from Nan Opera (The earliest form of Chinese Opera, which all major Chinese operas have evolved from), Wai Jiang Opera, Qin Opera & Gui Opera. All synergizing together during the late Qing Dynasty to create a distinctive southern China flavour in Teochew Opera & music.

In fact, my society is in the process of recording a DVD of Teochew music now, led by a famous composer & conductor from Shantou China now.

We’ll be quite appreciative if you support our production. Be it advice on our DVD educational contents, or financially, it will be great.

Excellent information, thanks Javier!

Hi Dave

It is remarkable to note your interest in Chinese opera.
Judging from the label, it was indeed a very old troupe from
China. The title is about a ‘bodyguard of the well known
justice Pao. Background is China Song (or Sung) dynasty.
However, I believe there is a set of several LPs.

That’s all I can describe.

I asked my China teacher he said it is a professional troupe Zhong Zheng Shun Xiang Ban in Bangkok. They are still existing now.
The LP is probably released 30-40 years ago.

thanks again, fantastic information!

Refer to Mr Javier Li’s comment of 13/Nov/07: I think TC Opera in Singapore was already popular in the 1950’s even before the influx of TC Opera movies. As a 5 year old kid then I went to street operas staged by local troupes such as “Xin Yong Hua” and “Lau Sai Thor” performed to huge audiences. Later in the early 60’s came the influx of TC Opera movies.