![]() Similarly, several literary works by Phan Truong Nguyen (12th century) and others by King Tran Thai Tong (1225-1258) appear to confirm that water puppetry was a courtly entertainment during the reigns of the Ly and Tran dynasties. In the above-mentioned passage from ancient literature, the scholar Nguyen Cong Bat was clearly describing a scene from water puppetry possibly attended by the then King. A Courtly musical prelude is played, the door to the grotto opens and fairies appear in a dance entitled The Wind Comes while singing in praise of Good Fortune flocks of birds dance and twitter, herds of innocent deer jump for joy. Casting a glance at the bank, it opens its mouth to spurt waters towards the jetty, turns its face up to admire the king’s crown, then bows its head to examine the immense sky (the clouds mirrored in the water, and the steeply-rising escarpment. “The golden tortoise, swimming in a leisurely way, carries three mountains on its head above the rippling waves, its carapace, its feet visible in the clear slow-moving waters. History of Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppetry People often said that it is often a great mistake if you do not watch the Vietnamese traditional puppet show in your Vietnam vacation. Enjoying a water puppet show will show you not only the outstanding performance but also the long-established culture, tradition, and customs of the S-shaped country. Water puppetry, a unique traditional art genre only exists in Vietnam.With the history of 4000 years, generations of Vietnamese people have created and maintained a lot of traditional arts and water puppetry is the best one among them. Stage puppetry has several forms such as hand and rod puppets from Dong Minh in Hai Phong Port City and Te Tieu in Ha Tay province, string puppets from Moc Thieu Hy in Cao Bang and Bac Thai provinces. Vietnam’s puppetry has been known with its two main genres: Stage puppetry and water puppetry. In fact this is a perfect harmony between art, nature and human beings. Amidst romantic scenery, spectators have a chance to contemplate an artistic genre in which land, water, green trees, cloud, wind, fire and smoke are present, so are curved red tile-roofed communal houses. Few theatrical performances show such a perfect harmony with the natural scenes as does the water puppet show. In the past, water puppet shows used to be staged in the broad daylight and in the open air. This is the uniqueness, attractiveness and creativeness of water puppetry. It’s like they are commanded by magic power”. But it also becomes seething and furious during naval battles or when powerful yellow dragons are emerging.Ī French newspaper article wrote: “The puppet figures are manipulated with an unimaginable cleverness. The peaceful water surface gently undulating with a flock of swimming ducks becomes romantic in the illusory veil of smoke when a group of fairies land for singing and dancing. Water is also involved in the show together with the puppets as it was once commented, “Water also becomes a character of the puppet show”. Water gives breath to puppet figures and makes them look more lively and cheerful. The way of using water to activate the puppets and to hide the manipulating apparatus and the maneuvering of the puppet figures constitute the most splendid creativity. The French called water puppetry with gentle puppet figures “The soul of the Vietnamese rice fields”, and commented, “With creativeness and sense of discovery, water puppetry can rank among the most important performing art forms of the puppetry theater”. In the past, water puppet shows usually took place when the farm work had been generally completed, in springtime or in village festivals. For this reason, Vietnamese peasants have created water puppetry into a unique performing art of the country. ![]() Under the natural conditions and their agricultural activities, the Vietnamese people have been close to the water. ![]() The Sung Thien Dien Linh stele erected at Long Doi Pagoda, Doi Son commune, Duy Tien district, in Ha Nam province in 1121 under the Ly Dynasty bears the inscription that the puppet show was first staged in honour of the King’s longevity. ![]() It originated from the wet rice civilization since the Hung Kings founded the country. Puppetry is a traditional performing art long existed among the ethnic groups living in Vietnam. Music and audio, either recorded or live, accompany the performances. Performances are based on traditional folklore or historical events. The stage is a small pool, with a scenic backdrop, hiding the puppeteers. Roi Nuoc are controlled by a puppeteer by way of long poles that are hidden under water. They most closely resemble marionettes, with jointed arms, legs and heads. Roi Nuoc is a traditional Vietnamese performance art using colorfully painted and costumed wooden puppets. ![]()
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