“Hey, friends, today I’m going to take on the Chinese drum.” Ozodbek, an international student from Tajikistan, gripped the drumstick tightly, his eyes shining with anticipation. In his second year in Liaoning, China, this young student encountered this time-honored art form carrying millennia of civilization for the first time.
The Chinese drum, an instrument that embodies the Chinese spirit and invigorates the people, has a long history. It is not only an important cultural heritage of China but also a vital carrier of the cosmic spirit in traditional Chinese culture. In the classroom of Zhou Yunfeng, a Chinese drum instructor, a large red lacquered drum stands silently. The intricate grain on its drum skin seems to whisper stories spanning millennia. As one of the “Ten Musical Instruments” in ancient China, the Chinese drum possesses a profoundly powerful expressiveness—its solo performance evokes the image of a mighty army, while an ensemble can rival the thunder. Throughout its long history, the Chinese drum has become a link between refined and popular culture, capable of conveying the solemnity of temple rituals as well as the joyous spirit of folk celebrations.
Zhou Yunfeng struck the drum, and a deep, resonant sound instantly filled the entire room. Ozodbek was deeply moved by this power, “This sound is so powerful, and it seems to pierce straight to the soul.” When he first began learning, Ozodbek often made mistakes with the rhythm. Zhou Yunfeng then held his hands patiently to demonstrate. “People from Liaoning play the drum with a bold and straightforward spirit. The accented beats must be struck firmly and powerfully.”
In the ensuing days, daily practice became a regular part of Ozodbek’s life. Starting from the most basic rhythms, he repeatedly refined every movement. In his dormitory, pillows and backpacks became his “practice drums”. The sound of the drumsticks striking accompanied his journey from stiff imitation to growing proficiency, while the crisp clash between the drumsticks and the drum skin became the most vibrant soundtrack of his study abroad life.
While practicing the drum piece Nezha Conquers the Dragon King, Ozodbek seemed to envision the valiant and heroic figure of Nezha, stepping on the “wind-fire wheels”, bravely battling the raging waves. “The sound of the Chinese drum is the sound of heaven and earth that transcends time and space, within this sound lies an indomitable spirit,” he said. The more he drummed, the more immersed he became, as if he could hear the echoes of the ancient Silk Road—a profound resonance between different civilizations.
The ancient Silk Road once witnessed the bustling trade between Tajikistan and China. Today, the Belt and Road Initiative allows the cultures of the two countries to meet and blend once again through the drumbeats. With each strike of Ozodbek’s drumstick, he not only evokes the unique charm of traditional Chinese art but also strikes a touching melody of mutual understanding and connection between different civilizations.
Ozodbek said he loves the majestic momentum brought by the drumbeats, and even more, the spirit of unity, cooperation, and striving for progress embodied in Chinese drum culture. Now, he wants to share this spirit with the world through the sonorous drumbeats he strikes.
