Ma Sanli, Master Performer Of The Traditional Chinese Art Of Crosstalk, 89 Or 90

[DGH]

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It was reported from Beijing, China, that Ma Sanli, a master performer
of the traditional Chinese art of crosstalk -- a rhythmic, often
humorous mix of dialogue and storytelling -- died Tuesday, February
11, 2003, at the age of somewhere between 88 and 90.

Xinhua gave Ma's age as 90 but said he was born in 1914, which would
make him 88 or 89. It gave no details of his death, but media reports
had said Ma suffered from bladder cancer.

Born into a Beijing family of folk artists, Ma studied crosstalk as a
child and gave his first stage performance when he was 16. According
to Xinhua, he continued to perform into his 80s and made his last
appearance in December 2001.

Ma often used crosstalk to express opinions on the ugliness and
viciousness of society, Xinhua said.

After the Communist Party seized power in 1949, he also devoted
himself to praising the new life, coming up with some of his most
popular pieces, including "In Praise of Residential Houses", "Map
Sketches" and "Eating Sweet Rice Glue Dumplings."

Ma was persecuted during the anti-rightist political movement of the
1950s but later joined the Communist Party in 1984, Xinhua said.