Baiju (Chinese: 白局) or Nanjing baiju, also called baiqu (Chinese: 百曲), is a traditional type of Chinese singing-storytelling and a form of quyi, formed in the rural Luhe District in the city of Nanjing during the Yuan dynasty more than 600 years ago. Though belittled by the upper class, baiju was very popular among the lower classes. It is also the only kind of old local opera in Nanjing, known as a native art which includes singing and telling in the Nanjing dialect, and is particularly rich in rhyme.[1] Baiju is often performed in the form of a solo monologue or a dialogue, like xiangsheng (a traditional Chinese oral art). When acted, it needs from two to five performers.[2] It is very easy to understand, with strong local characteristics, but unfortunately, due to the decline of both performers and audiences, the prospects for baiju are not optimistic. The origin of its name is performers not receiving any pay for their show ("bai" here means "free", and "ju" means " a show").[1]
^Wu Ge, & Wan Xiu-mei. (2006). Local art of Nanjing: the artistic characteristics and cultural value of Nanjing Baiju (论南京地方曲艺"南京白局"的艺术特色和文化价值). Hundred Schools in Arts (艺术百家), 88 (2), 186-189.
