Water Puppet Show In Vietnam

[Nguyen Ngoc diep]

Water Puppet is a unique art form born from rice culture and has become one ò the traditional arts ò Vietnam. Almost countries in the word have speaking puppet art, but the only water puppetry is unique to Vietnam. Essence of Water puppetry is receiving increasing admiration of many international friends, to be a product of the unique art of Vietnam.

Water puppetry was born under the Ly dynasty (1010-1225). Over time, the art of water puppetry is transmitted from generation to generation, gradually becoming an elegant hobby of people during the festivals. And so far, water puppetry has become an art form in the folk tradition, should be preserved, protected and promoted.

Compared with conventional puppet, puppet show with many other features such as the water used to stage; troubled water chamber also called water balance family structure, the pavilion symbolizes rural Vietnam stage is the water puppet show.

As for the puppets, to make the "puppets" have gone through many stages. Material is made of wooden puppets sung - a long wooden, lightweight, flexible to puppets can float on water and puppeteer who can easily perform. The water puppet army often used in performances including pay TEU, fairies, the plow or fishing...

But in particular, the success or failure of the water puppet depends largely on the skill of the puppeteer artist. After the veil, the puppet performers throughout the country to stand in the cold waters of the hips to control the puppets using wire system are arranged outside and underwater.

In addition, an indispensable element of the show is the sound of water puppetry. People often use these instruments in traditional music performances. The content of the water puppet show revolves around the basic theme of daily life, the traditional festivities: dragon dance, procession, wrestling, bullfighting ... or excerpts as some ancient Thach Sanh, Tam Cam ...

Through the water puppet repertoire, foreign audiences learn more about life, culture and people of Vietnam, contributing to raising awareness and prestige of culture, arts Vietnam, Vietnamese people pictures Men in the international arena.

Water puppetry is a unique art form imbued with national identity; past generations were inextricably linked with the tradition, the festival of the northern region. Currently, water puppetry is in the list of nominees is a world cultural heritage.

Tips: Where to see water puppet show: Thang Long Water Pupet show at 57b Dinh Tien Hoang Street – Hoan Kiem – Hanoi (only far from Hanoi Imperial Hotel or Hanoi Hotels a few minute walking distance).Price: normal ticket: 60,000VND( about US$3/ticket), first class ticket: 100,000VND/ticket (about US$6/ticket).