Famous Chinese crosstalk performer Ma Ji died of heart disease at the age of 72 in a hospital in Beijing Wednesday morning.

Ma Ji, born in 1934 in Beijing and originally named Ma Shuhuai, had worked in a bookstore. He began to learn Xiangsheng, or crosstalk or comic dialogue, at the age of 17 because he was fond of the traditional art.

In 1956, Ma was enrolled at the central broadcasting art ensemble as a professional Xiangsheng performer. Ma studied from many crosstalk masters including the late master, Hou Baolin.

Ma is regarded as an artist connecting the traditional and modern Xiangsheng art forms. His works reflected the modern Chinese life. He was good at satirizing social problems and praising heroes

He created more than 100 Xiangsheng works, and published books on crosstalk.

Tributes accumulated on the Internet on Wednesday.

A blogger named "Bangbang" wrote that he grew up with listening to the comic dialogues of Xiangsheng masters like Ma Sanli, Ma Ji and Jiang Kun.

"But I witnessed the decline of Xiangsheng, and haven't listened to it for many years," he said.

"Another master has left us. I don't known when Xiangsheng can revive in China," he added.

Another blogger named "Lover" said Xiangsheng had died long before Ma Ji. "I felt sorry not only for Ma Ji, but also for the spirit of China."

Xiangsheng, a "language art", combines four basic techniques: speech, mimicry, comedy and song. Xiangsheng can be performed by one person or more, but the most common form is two people.

It dates back to the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) and the Warring States (475-221 BC) when professional entertainers were first recorded.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2006)