Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s2.t2.1

v2.c11.s2.t2.1

Cao Miaoda (late 6^th century CE), a pipa player from Northern Qi to early Sui Dynasty, was born in a pipa sarcar in the state of Cao in the Western Regions (present-day Northeast Samarkand of Uzbekistan). At the end of Northern Wei, his grandfather Cao Brahman and his father Cao Sengnu had been living in the Central Plains. Cao Brahman used to study Kucha pipa from a merchant, therefore, his son Cao Sengnu and grandchildren Cao Miaoda and his sister were all good at playing Kucha pipa. Cao Miaoda’s offspring Cao Bao and his son, Cao Shancai and grandson, Caogang were all outstanding pipa players and impressive from Northern Qi to Tang Dynasty.