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Huo Liming, known as King of Bamboo Flute in Taicang, Jiangsu province, has made more than one hundred flutes over the past decades. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] |
There is a man who has been accompanied with bamboo flutes for 50 years: playing and making them.
Although diseases and car accidents have troubled his life, he continues to smile and enjoy the glamour of music.
What we talk about here is Huo Liming, known as King of Bamboo Flute in Taicang, who actually earns a living as a barber.
Besides basic furniture and hair dressing tools, all kinds of musical instruments, such as electronic organs, guitars, and erhus, crowd his small store. Among which, the dozens of bamboo flutes, covering the walls and desks, are the most eye-catching.
Huo has been fond of flutes since his childhood. "One of my father's friends gave me a bamboo flute when I was eight years old," Huo said. "As soon as I played it I found myself falling in love with its beautiful sound."
So he started to learn how to play it from local musicians and soon became famous among the local music circle and at the age of 26 he entered Taicang Theatre playing in front of audiences.
As his career just got off, a severe disease forced him to give up his passion. But as the saying goes, "When God closes a door, he always opens a window."
Since the bamboo flute that had accompanied Huo for many years cracked, he had to buy a new one but the price of which really took him back. Then, he thought of making a flute by himself.
After finding the proper bamboos mixed with his years of familiarity with flutes, he successfully made his first flute. Surprisingly, the quality of which was top-notch.
In making flutes, he found his calling in life. Ever since, he was determined to embark in this journey for the rest of his life.
Huo would pick bamboos for his flutes each spring and the process would take a lot of time and energy, including choosing and cutting bamboos, determining and drilling holes, tuning and painting.
"Every time I make a flute with excellent tone," Huo said. "I would think to myself that all the weariness is well deserved."
Over the past decade, the King of Bamboo flute in Taicang has made more than one hundred flutes, which not only can keep his pot boiling, but also allow him to resume his hope for living and finding the good in a simple life.
