For centuries, puppets have been intertwined with the people of Dao Thuc. They craft these puppets by hand, bringing them to life in performances that breathe aspirations for a prosperous, happy, harmonious, and peaceful life.
Colonel, Hero of the Armed Forces Dinh The Van, from Dao Thuc village, Thuy Lam commune, Dong Anh district, is a well-known figure. Not only for his participation in two resistance wars, contributing to the defense of the homeland, but also for his significant role in preserving and promoting the cultural and artistic heritage of traditional water puppetry in his hometown.
Upon entering his home, one is greeted by a multitude of puppets. For the people of Dao Thuc, these puppets possess a soul, serving as vessels for expressing love and vividly reflecting the dynamic lives of individuals. For centuries, puppets have been inseparable from the people of Dao Thuc. They meticulously craft the puppets with their own hands, bringing them to life in performances that encapsulate wishes for a warm, content, prosperous, and secure life. At over 80 years old, artisan Dinh The Van has dedicated more than 30 years to the craft of making and performing with water puppets. Puppets have been intertwined with him for 80 years, as he was exposed to them from a young age. His father was a puppet master, the local puppetry leader. Puppets accompanied his father and other artisans on travels throughout the country. He joined them in performances, even through the tumultuous times of wartime when he bravely fought against the enemy. War and invasion caused the decline of Dao Thuc water puppetry.
Honoring the words of his father before his passing, who urged a love for puppets and a close connection to them, Mr. Van, upon retirement, returned to his hometown to forge that connection with the traditional water puppets of his homeland. Immersed in the world of puppets, he engaged with the Ministry of Culture, the Center for Research and Conservation of Vietnamese Culture, the Department of Culture in Hanoi, and subsequently, the People’s Committee of Dong Anh District, proposing the restoration of water puppetry in the local area. With the support of the Ministry, relevant agencies, and local authorities, as well as research institutions, the water puppetry of Dao Thuc was successfully restored, with artisan Dinh The Van leading the way. The uniqueness of Dao Thuc water puppets lies in the opening act, featuring the lighting of fireworks and the raising of flags, and the use of the character “Ba Khi Giao Tro” (Ba Khi represents the image of a farmer), without the use of the commonly seen character “Chu Teu” in many other water puppet troupes. Mr. Van and the artisans of Dao Thuc crafted puppets that could move left, right, and enter the stage by rotating backward, unlike many other troupes where puppets move backward or diagonally. These puppets, crafted by the people of Dao Thuc, stand at a height of approximately 30 to 40 cm, made of wood and painted with vibrant colors to resist water infiltration. Dao Thuc water puppetry restored ancient folk tales, bringing them to the water stage, depicting activities like plowing, planting, fishing, buffalo herding, and traditional games like swinging and singing – all captivating and entertaining. With over 30 performances showcasing various shades of local life, it remains a captivating spectacle for the audience. Until today, Dao Thuc water puppetry continues to create puppets depicting soldiers, civilians, airplanes, missiles, tanks, kings, and soldiers, incorporating them into shows portraying “Hanoi’s Victory over B52,” the construction of Co Loa Citadel by King An Duong Vuong, and resistance against foreign invaders. This uniqueness and allure make Dao Thuc water puppetry even more captivating and attract a large number of both local and international tourists who come to witness the puppetry performances and explore the local art of water puppetry.
Artisan Dinh The Van imparts love for water puppetry to the young generation.
Water Pavilion – the venue for water puppetry performances in Dao Thuc village
A water puppetry performance from Dao Thuc village
Thanks to his contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional art, artisan Dinh The Van was honored with the Dao Tan Award by the Center for Research, Conservation and Development of Vietnamese Culture. In 2012, he was bestowed with the title of People’s Artisan by the State.
Even beyond his octogenarian years, artisan Dinh The Van continues to dedicate himself to puppets, passionately passing on his knowledge to the younger generation in the village. Many classes and many generations of students have been meticulously instructed by Artisan Van. Fortunately, the youth of Dao Thuc are also enthusiastic and passionate about the puppets of their homeland. Apart from study hours or labor for earning a living, the young people of Dao Thuc – the future artisans – are devotedly learning the art of water puppetry and puppet-making from Artisan Van and other mentors.
Class after class, the water puppetry troupe has now assembled four generations, with nearly 40 official members actively participating in the Traditional Water Puppetry Troupe. This is a cause for celebration, a driving force for Mr. Van and everyone else to collectively preserve and promote the precious cultural heritage of the locality.