Behind the cacophony of the drums and cymbals, two performers are sweating profusely beneath a lion dance costume. Their movements are deft and precise like clockwork, as the 'lion' adroitly approaches the lettuce perched precariously on the ceiling - a routine known as 'cai qing', or 'plucking the greens'. Lion dance is, perhaps, a reflection of the Chinese race - the myriad of dialects, traditions, and cultures finding its place in the modern society. With its glitzy costumes and dazzling gravity-defying moves, modern lion dance troupes march to the beat of a different drum, attracting plenty of fanfare and members. Unlike their modern counterparts who practice freestyle movements and are not bound by tradition, traditional lion dance troupes are bucking the trend, holding fast to tradition against the grip of modernisation. For the undiscerning, the modern makeover makes for an enthralling performance, but these movements are usually eschewed by traditional lion dance troupes. This Chinese New Year, AsiaOne goes behind the scenes at one of Singapore's oldest Chinese clan associations, Kong Chow Wui Koon, as its members practise the art of traditional lion dance.