DANCE of 1000 Hands

This is an act worthy of Cirque du Soleil.

But it’s all the more amazing because all 21 of the dancers are complete deaf-mutes. Relying only on signals from trainers at the four corners of the stage, these extraordinary dancers deliver a visual spectacle that is at once intricate and stirring. Its first major international debut was in Athens at the closing ceremonies for the 2004 Paralympics. But it had long been in the repertoire of the Chinese Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe and had traveled to more than 40 countries. Its lead dancer is 29 year old Tai Lihua, who has a BA from the Hubei Fine Arts Institute. The video was recorded in Beijing during the Spring Festival this year.

Thousand Hand Guan Yin was created by Chinese choreographer Zhang Jigang, and describes the legend that Bodhisattva Guan Yin has 1000 hands. Bodhisattva vows she will not become a Buddha until there is not a single tear drop left in the world.

Enjoy!