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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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