This form of art is originated in the Red River Delta, North of Vietnam around the 11th century. Water puppetry is closely related to the working lives of Vietnamese farmers, who spend most of their days on flooded rice paddies.
This performance art was said to be created by artistic farmers after their long days of working, as both a means of entertaining the spirits so they refrain from doing mischief to the crops, and a way to relax. As it became popular, it was often performed during festivals and Tet holiday, within a village/community.
Different from ordinary puppet shows, water puppetry is staged on water surface, with a backdrop, and is usually decorated with traditional props. Puppeteers stand behind the stage and control the wooden-made puppets with long bamboo rods and strings that are hidden beneath the water surface. The show is often accompanied with traditional music like Chèo and instruments such as flutes, drums, zithers, monochord, and wooden bells to create festive atmospheres.
The content is often about Vietnamese folklore, legends, history, and day-to-day rural life stories, from harvesting, fishing, to buffalo fights. People can now enjoy this art in water puppet theatres, especially popular is the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre located in Hanoi.
Nhà Hát Múa Rối Nước Thăng Long - Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Rối Nước Bông Sen - Lotus Water Puppet
Nhà Hát Múa Rối Nước Rồng Vàng - Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre
_________________
Source:
https://vietnamdiscovery.com/culture-arts/vietnamese-water-puppet/
http://redsvn.net/nghe-thuat-mua-roi-nuoc-viet-nam-lich-su-va-hien-trang2/
Comments