Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in
Hanoi offers insightful perspectives
into the cultural richness of the
country. The origins of the Thang Long
Water Puppetry can be traced to over
thousand years in the Red River Delta.
Water puppetry or Mua Roi Nuoc as it was
known in north Vietnam was performed on
the rice fields of and surface of ponds
of the River Delta. Water has been in
abundant supply in
north Vietnam. But as
agriculture is not a popular practice
here, farmers introducing this art form
to entertain themselves and their
children.
The theater was introduced to celebrate
the end of rice harvests, characterize
religious festivals and later to
entertain the royal court. The art form
started with scenes depicting the
everyday life of villagers such as
farming, fishing, romance and children's
activities. In recent times, the plays
showcase scenes from ancient fables,
myths, legends and historic ages. A
brutal war against the Vietnamese did
much damage to this art form, but today
it has stood the test of time and
continues to attract much admiration.
The various art festivals have helped
Thang Long Water Puppetry reach major
countries of the world like Japan,
Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, Spain,
Portugal, Hongkong and Denmark. This
theatre for has fostered a cultural
exchange of various countries across the
globe.
Features of Thang Long Water Puppet
Theater in Hanoi:
- This unique art form has a stage made
of rice paddy, river or pond.
- The marionettes are moved skillfully
across the water's surface with the help
of underwater poles, rods and strings.
Two or more people are required for
heavy and complex puppets.
- The puppets dance, dive, glide and
swim across the stage along with
traditional Vietnamese music being
played befitting the mood of the play.
- Bamboo flutes, Bronze drums, gongs,
xylophones sets the stage for the play.
- Ducks, snakes, dragons and monkey
puppets dance, dive and swim under the
surface of the water. The audience is
transported to a world of fishermen and
villagers, of knights and beautiful
princesses, of water buffalo, fish,
frogs, unicorns, lions and magic
turtles.
- The audience experiences this amazing
spectacle on a raft, pagoda and some
other floating structure.
- Some of the most fascinating
performances include Dance of the
Dragons, Triumphant Return, Legend of
the Restored Sword and Dance of the
Fairies.
- The most captivating of the rural life
scenes depict Catching Frogs, Fox
Stealing Ducks and On a Buffalo with a
Flute. |
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