# Tian Han > Chinese playwright, screenwriter, songwriter (1898-1968) **Wikidata**: [Q434207](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q434207) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian_Han) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tian-han ## Summary Tian Han was a Chinese playwright, screenwriter, songwriter, poet, writer, and translator who lived from 1898 to 1968. He is best known for writing the lyrics to "March of the Volunteers," which serves as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. A prominent cultural figure, he held citizenship in both the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China during his lifetime. ## Biography - **Born:** March 12, 1898 - **Nationality:** Republic of China; People's Republic of China - **Education:** University of Tsukuba - **Known for:** Writing the lyrics for the national anthem of the People's Republic of China; contributions to Chinese drama and cinema as a playwright and screenwriter - **Employer(s):** [Not specified in source material] - **Field(s):** Literature, Drama, Music, Translation ## Contributions Tian Han's most significant contribution is the authorship of the lyrics for "March of the Volunteers." This work, originally written in 1935, was adopted as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, a sovereign socialist state founded in 1949. The anthem is a central symbol of the Chinese state, representing the nation in political contexts and international organizations. In addition to his lyrical work, Tian Han contributed to the arts through his occupations as a playwright and screenwriter. He is recognized as a poet and writer, engaging in the creation of literary works that communicate ideas through written words. His work as a translator also facilitated the exchange of written text between languages. ## FAQs **What is Tian Han most famous for?** Tian Han is most famous for writing the lyrics to "March of the Volunteers," the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. **What were Tian Han's primary occupations?** He worked as a playwright, screenwriter, songwriter, poet, writer, and translator. **When did Tian Han live?** Tian Han was born on March 12, 1898, and died on December 10, 1968. **Where was Tian Han educated?** According to the provided source material, he was educated at the University of Tsukuba. **What national anthem did Tian Han write?** He wrote the lyrics for "March of the Volunteers," which is the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. ## Why They Matter Tian Han matters primarily due to his authorship of the lyrics for the Chinese national anthem, "March of the Volunteers." This song is a fundamental symbol of the People's Republic of China, a nation with over 5,000 years of history and currently the world's most populous country and second-largest economy. As the lyricist, Han created a piece of work that is officially recognized by the state, played at official government functions, and used to represent the country in international bodies such as the United Nations. His contributions to drama and cinema also place him within the context of China's rich cultural and artistic development during the 20th century. ## Notable For - **Lyricist of the National Anthem:** Wrote the lyrics for "March of the Volunteers," the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. - **Multidisciplinary Artist:** Recognized for his work as a playwright, screenwriter, songwriter, poet, writer, and translator. - **Historical Era:** Active during the transition from the Republic of China (1912–1949) to the People's Republic of China (1949–present). - **Courtesy Name:** His courtesy name was Shouchang (壽昌). - **Citizenship:** Held citizenship in both the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China. ## Body ### Identity and Occupations Tian Han was a human (Homo sapiens) and a creative professional known for his diverse contributions to the arts. His primary occupations included playwright, screenwriter, and songwriter. Beyond these roles, he was also identified as a poet, a writer who uses written words to communicate ideas, and a translator who converts text from one language to another. This combination of roles highlights his versatility in the literary and performing arts sectors of China. ### Life and Nationality Tian Han was born on March 12, 1898, and lived until December 10, 1968. His lifespan encompassed significant historical periods in Chinese history, including the existence of the Republic of China (1912–1949) and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Consequently, he held citizenship in both the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China. The People's Republic of China, the primary political entity referring to China in modern contexts, is a socialist state and the world's most populous nation, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. ### Education and Affiliations Tian Han was affiliated with the University of Tsukuba, an institution located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The source material indicates this was his place of education. The University of Tsukuba is a university in Japan, a country that shares maritime borders with China. ### Notable Work: March of the Volunteers Tian Han's most prominent work is "March of the Volunteers." He is credited as the songwriter (lyricist) for this piece. The song serves as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. As the national anthem, it is one of the key symbols of the state, alongside the national flag featuring five stars on a red background and the national emblem featuring the Gate of Heavenly Peace. The anthem represents the unity and political identity of the country, which operates as a one-party state under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. ### Cultural and Political Context Tian Han's work is situated within the broader context of Chinese culture, one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. China, his home nation, is characterized by its vast geography, diverse ethnic groups (predominantly Han Chinese), and significant economic and political influence as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. His contributions to the arts occurred during a time of profound transformation in China, moving from the imperial era through the Republic of China era to the socialist era of the People's Republic. The national anthem he helped create remains a powerful representation of the state's identity and its historical journey. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. International Standard Name Identifier 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. CiNii Research 5. MusicBrainz 6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 7. SNAC 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. LIBRIS. 2012