Tianjin Current Ditty

Tianjin's Current Ditty ( Tianjin Shidiao) is a unique art form of Tianjin. It first originated in early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). By 1900, there had appeared professional performers making a living on this. The Current Ditty was inspired by and based upon some ballads and popular tunes, such as Leaning-Against-A-Wall Ditty (Kaoshan Ditty), Mandarin-Ducks Ditty (Yuanyang Ditty) and Rubber Ditty (Jiaopi Ditty). Leaning-Against-A-Wall Ditty was a kind of short song sung by a shoe mender taking a rest while leaning against a wall. Mandarin ducks, Chinese Yuanyang, are usually used by Chinese to describe two lovers, so Mandarin-ducks Ditty, or Yuanyang Ditty, is a love song. In early years, rickshaws were nicknamed as jiaopi, or rubber. A Rubber Ditty (Jiaopi Ditty) is a short song sung by rickshaw workers while waiting for fares. These folk ditties and tunes of pristine simplicity had a lasting appeal and were widely accepted in Tianjin. People sang them for self-entertainment. Later, professional performers appeared. By adding to them more sophisticated artistic elements, they made them into an art form that reflected the time, people and society. They named this art form "Tianjin Shidiao", or Tianjin Current Ditty. In early years, famous artists included Zhao Baocui, Zhou Cuizhi, Tan Junying, Qin Cuihong, Gao Wugu, Zhao Xiaofu, etc. In the 1950's, Wang Yubao rose to fame. His resonant voice was unrivaled. This art form is still developing today.