From the margin to mainstream

By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-26 14:26

   

 When four like-minded friends came together in 2004 and formed Haya - which means "margin" in Mongolian - they gave the term a new meaning by bringing Mongolia grasslands to the city.

The band, made up of Mongol and Han Chinese musicians, explores the proud past of their ancestors. Their music combines traditional Mongolian instruments with modern sensibilities.

They take up the traditional practice of throat singing (humai) and play ancient Mongolian instruments, including the choor, dovshor, aman khoor, yatag, and matouqin. Dressed in traditional Mongolian costumes and singing folk songs, they transport audiences back to the origin of their music.

After winning accolades for composing the music for Zhang Yimou's Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles in 2007, the band released its first album, Wolf Totem. Producer Zhang Quansheng (pictured) says the two new members from abroad who have joined the band recently will give it a fresh look and help incorporate more international musical elements into their works.

7:30 pm, tonight

 Beijing Exhibition Center, 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie

6417-0068/0058.