Nationality Singaporean Role Playwright Name Han Da | Website Han Language Centre Spouse(s) Koh Hwee Peck | |
Full Name Ann Jong JuanChinese: 韩永元pinyin: Han Yong Yuan Other names Tan TianChinese: 谭天pinyin: Tan TianHai ShuChinese: 海叔pinyin: Hai Shu Occupation Principal, Han Language Centre Children Ann Yong HeAnn Yun Guang | ||
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Han Lao Da (Chinese: 韩劳达; pinyin: Hán Láo Dá) is a Singaporean playwright, as well as founder and principal of Han Language Centre. Han received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions in the Singaporean drama scene, and is also recognised for his xiangsheng contributions in Singapore.
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Life
Although Han was born in Singapore, his forefathers were from Wen Chang province in Hainan, China.
Han started composing xiangsheng plays since the 1970s, and he started studying the works of renowned xiangsheng artist Ma Ji . Han's debut play was entitled "The gift ticket". The play was performed in Singapore and major towns and cities all over peninsula Malaysia. In 1984, Han got to befriend Ma Ji, and in 1986, Han also befriended noted performers like Jiang Kun and Tang Jie Zhong. After making these acquaintances, Han began to absorb all the artistic knowledge he can from these noted xiangsheng performers so that he could bring the art of xiangsheng to Singapore, and promote the local xiangsheng culture. He worked hard with other xiangsheng enthusiasts, and produced many scripts for local performances. His works garnered many local awards and won many xiangsheng competitions. He also published three xiangsheng collections and critiques containing a total of 45 xiangsheng scripts. In 2000, his article introducing Singaporean xiangsheng was published in the column on xiangsheng history, published in the Chinese Xiangsheng Network.
At the same time, Han is a noted playwright active in the Singaporean drama scene. He has written a total of nine full-length drama and many short plays.