| |
 |
Writer thrives in SZ
|
Song Yingwen
A STORY told about the renowned Jiang Karu, lyricist behind songs like Story of Spring and Marching Into A New Era, is that he once attended a national lyrics-writing competition in the 80's, before he became a national icon. His entries, a song describing the subtle nostalgia for families separated by the Taiwan Straits,
was so poetic and delicate that all the judges mistook him for a girl. "This Jiang must be a young lady in love," some judges reportedly remarked upon reading his words.
Jiang's lyrics, indeed, are impressive for their touching tenderness. His background, as an outstanding soldier who was forced to leave the army and sent to work in the Great Northern Wilderness in northeast China in 1958 because he had relatives overseas, actually surprised everyone, especially when the Story of Spring and Marching Into The New Era were published. "How can you write such beautiful words after suffering so much? Your songs are for a party that once put you in so difficult a situation, and you were not even a member of it!" The question is frequently asked of Jiang.
A thoughtful smile creeps over his face whenever he is asked this. "I guess it's because I am a lucky optimist," he replies simply.
His luck and optimism saved him from the desperation that fell on most of the country's artists and intellectuals during those tough years. Though forced to leave his favourite job in the army, he was lucky enough to begin a brand new career as a writer. Though his art form is not easy to pursue thanks to a lack of education and experience, Jiang never complained. During his time in the wilderness, his talent somehow found expression, and during his 34 years there he somehow wrote over 100 plays and dramas.
And optimism made his life in the remote area a special experience rather than a source of anguish for him. "My experience during those years provided the best material for my works. I was so successful that these plays were staged whenever leaders came for inspections of our town. This gave me a sense of fulfillment. I never felt as though I had been deserted by the party," Jiang mused.
But what really brought him fame and success is his attitude towards life. "Whatever situation, I experience life with my heart," Jiang said, "And when you are writing songs with your heart, people get touched."
His sentimental heart found endless inspiration in our vibrant city ever since the day he stepped foot in it. All the works that brought him lifelong fame were produced after he arrived in Shenzhen in his late fifties. "Living in such a young and energetic city like Shenzhen, I am always bursting with new ideas," he said with a smile.
|
|
|
|
