The passed-away storytelling master Shan Tianfang remains a legend in China

Chinese storytelling master Shan Tianfang dies at 84.[from IC]

One of China's top pingshu masters, Shan Tianfang, died at the age of 84 in Beijing on Tuesday.

The traditional Chinese art form, pingshu, or storytelling, was born in the Song Dynasty, more than 1000 years ago, and has been popular with audiences mostly in northern China.

With a simple backdrop-usually a pair of screen doors, a table, a folding fan and a block of wood (known as xingmu)-Shan won a large base of enthusiastic fans for his solid techniques and improvisation describing the scenes in the book in vivid and captivating ways, like movie clips.

Shan told stories with witty, humorous comments and expressive body language that appealed to audiences of all ages.

Most of the pingshu stories are adapted from ancient Chinese literature. His representative works include White-Eyebrow Hero, The Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties, Heroes in a Troubled Time, and Sanxia Wuyi (literally The Three Heroes and Five Gallants).

Shan's story accompanied many Chinese to grow up and Shan will remain as a legend in Chinese people's heart. 

Take a listen to the discussion between Ryan Price and Liu Min, hosts on Studio+, a daily talk show produced by China Plus.