In celebration of 100 years of Vietnamese traditional art, Cai Luong, People’s Artist-PHD Bach Tuyet, who has devoted her life to cai luong and who is dearly called “The Precious Gem of Cai Luong”, will share her thoughts about cai luong and about those who fall in love and dedicate their life to this traditional performing art.
Reporter: In your opinion, what is the greatest value that cai luong has brought to the audiences in the past 100 years?
People’s Artist-PHD Bach Tuyet: Art brings the cultural and moral values and aesthetic taste to the audiences. Cai luong is a genre of theatrical arts. Thus, it is not exceptional for what cai luong has brought to the community. Being born during the French colonial era, cai luong promoted patriotism and restoration of the independence. On the other hand, from an artistic point of view, cai luong played an important role in reforming the society and in perfecting the national language in the early 20th century. Cai luong has accompanied with Vietnamese people throughout 100 years as a “weapon” adding voices to the call against oppression and domination. It signifies the desire for peace, independence, and love for the country of Vietnamese people. It also calls for unity, preservation, protection and promotion of the thousands of years of the national culture. All together they built the foundation of cai luong.
Reporter: You have witnessed the ups and downs of the stage, have you ever felt pity for the golden age of cai luong?
In this competitive world, expanding – shrinking, rise – fall, strength – weakness are being examined to come up with solutions in a fair way. The same principle applies to cai luong and everything else. Therefore, I only pay attention on what I am and will do for my profession and for the public, instead of feeling pity, regret or indifferent. I strongly believe cai luong is the breath of the Vietnamese people and the hum of the Southern people. I continue carrying on my passion for cai luong along with my colleagues and my fans.
People’s Artist-PHD Bach Tuyet as the Empress Duong Van Nga
Reporter: In your opinion, does today cai luong reflect problems in the society?
Art in general and cai luong in particular are the mirror of the society and people’s minds. It is not necessary that only social plays can reflect “problems in the modern society.” Present topics within ancient stories. Borrowing legendary tales to convey today’s issues… Whether in the form of a trait, a plot or tan co, as long as cai luong can incorporate current topics properly in both content and formats, then it is a necessary voice of the reality. However, whether the reflections are truthfully shared with the public, awaken the reality, and purify the audience’s mind or not, it is something that cai luong needs to think and invest thoroughly.
Reporter: The classic play “Empress Duong Van Nga” is being remade with much younger artists. As the person who have made a deep impression on this role, do you think this is a risky move?
Each artwork, once impressed the public, has its own success at the specific times. Nothing can replace that fate. But arts always have to keep evolving, even though the new ones are sometimes not convincible yet. I think it should be encouraged.
Reporter: In the recent years, some cai luong talent shows on television modified the contents and formats to attract audiences. Would this way of doing be a long term solution for cai luong to win back for the audience?
The more new shows there are, the more opportunities for viewers to choose. This is attractive to me. Two things in life, that come and go, we should not against are art and religion. We know what we want and we take responsibility of what we want. Through art we learn to adorn ourselves, and through religion we find paths to the truths! The audiences neither walk away nor return, they simply enjoy cai luong as well as other traditional performing arts.
Reporter: Could you please give young cai luong fans an advice to encourage their passion for this traditional art in the age when many people think cai luong is kind of “obsolete”?
When one has a passion, one will know how to keep the passion’s fire. My advice lies in the works I am doing every day for cai luong, including 2 shows per week at Hoa Le Night (at Cho Lon Theater – District 5). Spectators still come to the shows every week. If not because of the love for cai luong and for art, no one else has enough power to drag you in. After all, the love and the loyalty of the audiences help us, the artists, to keep up our passion, make us work harder, bring us happiness and uplifting on the stage.
Reporter: Thank you so much. Wishing you always in good health to continue devoting to the audiences of cai luong!
Duc Tien – Nguoi Tieu Dung (Consumer Electronic News) (14/05/2018)