THE MUSIC MAN
VIDEO/Jihn Lock/Youtube
As is tradition, during the 2004 closing ceremony of the Athens Summer Paralympic games, the next host Beijing had eight minutes to showcase China’s expansive culture. It was in that moment that The China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe (CDPPAT) made their international debut, performing the iconic, and now world recognised Thousand-hand Bodhisattva dance.
One year later the troupe delivered the most notable of the dances’ performances when they appeared on the 2005 Spring Festival Gala. The footage went viral across YouTube and Facebook, culminating millions of views.
The Thousand Hand Bodhisattva dance is a beautifully synchronised flow of movement. What is even more astounding is that the sixty-three strong group of dancers who take on this incredible dance, are all deaf or with a hearing impairment. The performers are supported by six directors of whom use sign language to help the dancers feel the rhythm and remain in perfect time.
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