Born into a family with a tradition of puppetry, with his father, the “farmer artist” Pham Van Be, and many family members deeply involved in the puppetry craft for many years, Meritorious Artisan Pham Cong Bang nurtured his passion for the dying art of puppetry early on, determined to preserve and promote the traditional values instilled by his father.
Getting acquainted with puppet design at the tender ages of nine or ten, together with seniors from Te Tieu Puppetry, he performed at village festivals and community events, showcasing folk performances to serve the people. Meritorious Artisan Pham Cong Bang quickly kindled his love for the art of puppetry.
Not only did he absorb the traditional tales told by his father, but he also crafted numerous scripts, designed various puppet characters, and guided fellow students to perform captivating shows and acts. His love for puppetry continued to grow. Following in his father’s footsteps in the pursuit of the ancient craft, in 2001, he and his father, Mr. Pham Van Be, built the Water Pavilion – a puppetry house to perform for the local community as well as entertain numerous domestic and international tourists. The puppetry house was constructed with funds from the Ford Vietnam Fund on a piece of land supported by the local authorities. In 2016, at the age of 92, after the passing of Mr. Be, fulfilling his father’s wishes, Pham Cong Bang diligently continued carving wooden puppets day and night and passed on his knowledge to the children and youth in the village who aspired to learn the craft.
According to Mr. Bang, creating a unique and fresh puppet poses a challenging puzzle for puppet craftsmen. They must innovate to avoid commercialization while preserving the essence of the nation. Creativity must seamlessly integrate traditional cultural elements into the artwork so that viewers can distinctly perceive Vietnamese culture in the puppet characters, in the melodies, and in the folk poems that resonate with the Vietnamese soul. Puppetry is already a complex art, and mastering puppet manipulation is one of the crucial techniques. Mr. Pham Cong Bang shares that to control this technique, performers must undergo rigorous training, possess high-level skills, have flexible and nimble hands, and have an intricate understanding of each other’s intentions. Only then can puppeteers perform a myriad of flexible, lively movements that exude a special charm, captivating the audience.
To bring puppetry closer to the public, Pham Cong Bang has crafted numerous new stories infused with the breath of life. His recent production, “Whose Fault Is It,” narrates a tale of environmental awareness. The performance conveys a message about the community bonds within the neighborhood. Despite some neighbors irresponsibly dumping garbage, when they slip and fall into danger, the community rallies to their aid, showcasing a touching narrative that gradually influences the behaviors of the onlookers.
Presently, Pham Cong Bang is the youngest meritorious artisan in Vietnam and the head of Te Tieu Puppetry. Despite facing numerous challenges since his involvement in heritage preservation, he perseveres. Always conscious of learning, preserving, developing, and passing down the art to future generations, he annually hosts classes for children aged 3 to 16 to come and learn about the traditional art of puppetry. Not only do the children get hands-on experience in crafting puppets, but they also learn how to manipulate the puppets and perform simple puppetry acts, providing a constructive playground. He hopes that through close contact and familiarity with puppets, a new generation will cultivate a love for puppetry and connect with the traditional craft left behind by his ancestors.
Over time, the Water Pavilion area, formerly invested in by the Ford Vietnam Fund, gradually deteriorated. In early 2017, Pham Cong Bang urged the authorities to undertake a project to renovate and upgrade the puppetry house, including a display area for traditional puppets. The project received approval from the local authorities of Dai Nghia town and My Duc district. Additionally, Dai Nghia town allocated an additional 700m² of adjacent land for the puppetry house and the traditional puppetry exhibit. This space will be developed to showcase, promote, and perform Te Tieu puppetry. The project aims to provide an opportunity for domestic and international tourists to witness artisans in the process of puppet creation, manipulation, and live performances, allowing interaction with the performers. Besides touring the conservation area, visitors can also participate in engaging traditional games. The well-planned exhibition and promotion of Te Tieu puppetry will connect tourist destinations within the district, such as the scenic Huong Son historical site, Quan Son Lake, and Tuy Lai Lake. This connectivity will facilitate the development of Te Tieu Puppetry Ward, contributing to the promotion of the cultural value of the “National Intangible Cultural Heritage” to both domestic and international friends.
In the millennium-old cultural city of Hanoi, Dao Thuc Village (Dong Anh), Sai Son (Quoc Oai), and the communes of Chang Son, Binh Phu, and Thach Xa (Thach That) are all renowned for water puppetry. However, Te Tieu Village stands as the only village in Hanoi preserving both dry and water puppetry. With 20 regular members participating in performances, meritorious artisan Pham Cong Bang silently dedicates himself to the traditional culture of the nation. He remains the stalwart guardian and developer of the traditional puppetry art inherited from his forefathers.