Nanyin is one of the oldest performing arts in China. It is central to the culture of people living in southern Fujian, to the south-eastern coast, and to some Minnan groups abroad. Nanyin originally gained fame as a royal form of music and developed through centuries, adapting to musical norms of subsequent periods.
There are three different components to Nanyin: its first component is purely instrumental, its second component includes voice, and its third component consists of ballads accompanied by the ensemble. The songs are sung in the Quanzhou dialect by either a sole singer or a group of four and are performed in turns. Nanyin is deeply rooted in the social life of the Minnan region and has influenced performing art traditions.
In Minnan, it is sung during spring and autumn ceremonies to worship Meng Chang, the god of music, as well as during happy occasions in courtyards, markets, and on the streets. In China and throughout SouthEast Asia, it is regarded as an integral part of the motherland. The overseas Chinese communities developed Nanyin outside of China and helped introduce it to a larger global audience after World War Two.
Although Nanyin has no known composers and lyricists for its genre, as opposed to Chinese orchestral music, the interpretation of the songs and pieces is passed on through a master-disciple system. Songs can be performed in different ways by different performers, which has led to years of debate on how certain pieces should be performed.
Based on folklore, Nanyin was a form of street music originating from buskers who were spotted by the imperial palace and subsequently became a form of imperial music. For a long time, it was only enjoyed by the royal family.
In China, Nanyin is currently taught in schools and has attracted the attention of many. As one of the few forms of music available at the time, it enables seniors to reminisce about their youth and students to understand their roots. Through the influence of Chinese culture, Nanyin has become one of the most traveled art forms in the world.
The Chinese culture has been influencing Nanyin through contemporary means, creating a debate over Nanyin's significance as a traditional art form. Young Chinese are now getting Nanyin's education through lectures, workshops, and masterclasses.