Tian Han (simplified Chinese: 田汉; traditional Chinese: 田漢; pinyin: Tián Hàn; March 12, 1898 — December 10, 1968), born in Changsha, Hunan, was a Chinese drama activist, playwright, a leader of revolutionary music and films, as well as a translator and poet. Tian contributed a great deal to the development of Chinese modern drama as well as Chinese opera. His most famous legacy may be the lyrics he wrote for March of the Volunteers in 1934, the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.
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During the May Fourth Movement in 1919, Tian became famous for the vigorous anti-imperialist and anti-feudalist activities in the circle of artists and intellectuals he gathered.
Returning from Japan in 1921, Tian established the Creative Society together with Guo Moruo. The Southern China Society, also headed by Tian, played a leading role in promoting dramatic performances in southern China. In 1927, Tian taught at the Department of Literature of Shanghai Art University. Later, he joined The League of Chinese Left-Wing Dramatists.
Amongst his aliases, he called himself Tian Shouchang (田寿昌), and had various other pen names, including Uncle Great Wild Goose (Chinese: 伯鸿; pinyin: buó hóng), Chen Yu, Shuren (漱人), and the Han Immortal (Chinese: 汉仙; pinyin: Hànxiān).
He was attacked in 1966 on the eve of the Cultural Revolution for his play historical play, Xie Yaohuan, an attack on Chairman Mao's policies. He was denounced in an article entitled Xie Yaohuan is a poisonous weed.
Tian died in prison during the Cultural Revolution in 1968.
He was rehabilitated posthumously in 1979.
He is portrayed by Donnie Yen in the 2009 film The Founding of a Republic.
The Chinese Cultural Revolution: a history By Paul Clark
http://www.marxists.org/archive/chen/chenongpcr.htm
http://thechinabeat.blogspot.com/2008/07/from-lovers-to-volunteers-tian-han-and.html