The art project was created and is managed by Nguyen Phuong Vi, a fourth-year student at the HCM City University of Fine Arts. Photo courtesy of the project’s founder

The project, Bội Tự (The Art of Vietnamese classical drama Tuong), was created and is managed by Nguyen Phuong Vi, a fourth-year student at the HCM City University of Fine Arts. 

It aims to introduce and expose young people to tuong.

The project, to be introduced online, offers information, paintings and photos featuring performers and plays of tuong. The music instruments and clothes used in the traditional dramas are also included.  

“My project provides young audiences with the knowledge of tuong, a symbolic form of Vietnamese theatre that originated in the central region and expanded in southern Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong River Delta provinces,” said Vy. 

Vy began her love for this drama genre after watching performances by professional artists from the HCM City Hát Bội Theatre. She since has researched and discovered the art. 

To complete her project, Vi has read books on tuong by famous tuong artists and theatre and cultural researchers, such as Huynh Ngoc Trang and Le Van Chieu. 

People’s Artist and tuong performer Dinh Bang Phi talks at a seminar on tuong in HCM City. Photo courtesy of HCM City Theatre Association

According to Vi, tuong developed from a folk art into a royal art in the 17th century. It consists of singing, dancing and music, all of which are highly stylised and symbolic.

The art’s themes include monarchist loyalty and patriotism which help define the play’s structure, language, music, and characters' personalities.

"Plays and performances that offer a true and unique style of tuong will be introduced through my project. People can learn traditional songs, tunes and dances used in tuong," she said. 

“Vy’s project encourages young people to discover tuong, which is part of their heritage that is hundreds of years old,” said People’s Artist and tuong performer Dinh Bang Phi of HCM City. 

Phi, 83, has written and directed more than 40 plays and performed in many cai luong (reformed opera) and tuong plays, videos and movies.

He has won scores of prestigious awards at national traditional theatre festivals and contests. Some of his books on tuong are used at art schools to teach students.

Source: Vietnam News 

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