Before the days of TV, DVD and youtube, there was Pansori. Before Superjunior, the Wonder Girls or TVXQ, there were pansori singers. Past generations of Koreans used to get their entertainment from this traditional opera form. But it's also very different from Verdi or Chinese opera.
A solo singer stands while recounting a legend or folk narrative. A drummer, who sits cross-legged on the floor, accompanies him or her. I don’t understand a single word of the lyrics but find the performances impressive because of the unearthly intensity and expressiveness of the voices. Harsh, guttural, raw at times, the singer’s voice could also be full of pathos and sorrow. I know nuts about voice technique but it seems that the throat ( rather than the diaphragm ) of the pansori singer is made to do extraordinary things.
My introduction to this Korean art-form came by way of Im Kwon-taek’s movie, Seopyeonje. The children of a pansori singer become his pawns in his relentless quest to keep his craft alive at all costs. Not only does the movie feature some beautiful landscapes but it also has some riveting performances. By listening to pansori, one may have a glimpse into the Korean soul.
The first extract from the movie here features the Jindo Arirang and the second is a bit of a spoiler because it's near the end of the movie. The first time I saw the movie, it came with English subtitles. When I had the chance to visit Korea, I had to get a copy of the movie. Unfortunately, English subtitles weren't available but I still had to have it because it's a compelling story with some powerful & haunting music.
More on pansori and the movie in future postings.
For movie review, click here.
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