Chiu Sau Wan

Biography

Chiu Sau Wan was a Chinese Cantonese opera and film artist, originally named Tan Yao Lun, born on 30 September 1922 in Guangzhou to a family where her father was a teacher. She began learning opera at age six and studied under the renowned teacher Chau Syu Chau, learning performance fundamentals, movements, and basic skills. She also trained in martial arts and acrobatics with master Wu Yan Ming for over a year. She made her stage debut at age eleven, adopting the stage name "Chiu Sau Wan," and began recording Cantonese opera records. Due to her all-around talents in singing, acting, and martial arts, she was performing leading female roles by age thirteen in cities including Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Macau. She collaborated with major stars such as Bai Jue Rong and Xue Jue Xian in prominent opera troupes, starring in famous works like "Can Mei Yu Bao Yu," "Hu Bu Gui," "Nu Er Xiang," and "Wang Zhao Jun." Before 1950, she was honored as one of the four greatest female stars of Cantonese opera, alongside Shang Hai Mei, Tan Lan Qing, and Wei Shao Fang. In 1949, she became the leading female star of the newly formed large-scale "Yong Guang Ming" troupe, partnering with Lu Yu Lang in numerous successful productions. She passed away on 14 January 1980.