Pansori

  * The meaning of Pansori*
 "Pan" means a place where dances, songs and other performances take place.
The songs that are performed there are called pansori. Pansori techniques are so exacting that one can be a great pansori singer only by starting at an early age and studying for decades.
The essence of pansori singing is Tongseong, a cry released from the belly while exhaling. Much the same technique is used to sing classic songs and in operas. What makes pansori unique, however, is producing a slightly rough and husky sound in the throat.
  It is also important to exert voice control through the lips and chest rather than the nose. There were originally twelve pansori, of which only five traditional ones remain. They are Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Heungboga, Jeokbyeokga and Sugungga. Two people perform pansori. The drummer or gosu sits on the floor and accompanies the singer by striking a drum. The singer or Myeongchang tells a story through song, narration, and gestures. The singer may perform while standing or sitting, and holds a fan in his or her right hand. The narration and gestures of a Pansori singer are called "Aniri" and "Ballim" respectively. Sanjo is a medley of lively folk tunes that are unique to, and popular in, the southern districts of Korea. With the emergence of Gayageum Sanjo at the end of the 19th century, Sanjo grew rapidly in popularity.

*The origin of Pansori*

  The origin of p'ansori is uncertain.
However, it is widely believed to have come from the shamanistic ritual songs of the Cholla region.

P'ansori began to take shape when these musicians for the shamans gave up their religious practices
in order to become kwangdaes or minstrels. These bands of kwangdaes travelled the countrysides to perform.

Their acts gradually came to consist of not only singing,
but also dancing, tumbling and acrobatics.
It was between these performances that they recounted folk stories in the form of songs and rhythmic patterns.

P'ansori branched away from these kwangdae performances during the Choson period.
When it started to appeal to the aristocrats, it was adapted for the new audience with the limited use of vulgarities
and the insertion of many quotes from the Chinese classics.

The p'ansori performers came to be revered by the nobility and as a result, their status in society also improved.

Some p'ansori singers spent their whole lives practicing and developing their unique styles
which were able to last through many generations.

A scholar named Shin Chae-hyo from the koch'ang family of the Chollabuk-do province was the first to put p'ansori into writing.

He not only collected them but also refined and developed them by improving the rhythmic singing, and drumming techniques of the songs.

In addition, he trained many p'ansori singers including the first female p'ansori singer.

Until the early nineteenth century, 12 p'ansoris existed. Now, only the five that Shin collected are completely known.

A complete p'ansori takes about six to eight hours to perform.


Pansori performance