Today’s Enlightening
Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Malay, Persian,
Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish, and Thai.
Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
is a nation that has
a long-standing
traditional culture.
Aulacese music
is very rich;
since ancient times,
there have been
many musical instruments
that move the soul with
a wide variety of sounds
like those
of the copper drum,
gong, lithophone,
bamboo xylophone,
cymbals and panpipe.
In 2003, Elegant Music, a
form of Huế royal music,
was recognized
by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO)
as an intangible cultural
heritage of the world.
Âu Lạc’s music represents
the unique features of
each region, for example,
Quan Họ folksongs
in the North,
Huế tunes in the Central,
and cải lương
(modern folk opera)
in the South.
In addition, there are many
other forms of music,
including hò
(work songs),
lý (village songs),
ceremonial songs,
Aulacese classical opera,
chèo traditional opera,
Hồ Quảng opera,
and so on.
Indeed, music has been
deeply instilled
in the hearts of people
in this beautiful country,
and has been cultivated
until this day.
Northern Âu Lạc
has a folk art
called xẩm singing
that is very popular
in the northern plains
and midland.
This genre, in the old time,
was performed
by minstrel bands.
In a gathering
with a small group of
our Association members
some years past,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
was inspired to
spontaneously compose
and sing in the xẩm style
a poem she had written in
her late 20s in Germany.
The poem was originally
written in English which
the poet herself
translated into Aulacese.
We now invite you
to enjoy an excerpt
of the xẩm singing
“We Don't Live More
Than One Hundred Years!”
composed and sung
by Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
I mean tonight I was nuts!
But so what:
Aren’t the rest of us!...
Otherwise how could we
carry on living,
For life isn’t worth a thing!?
You know that I am still
in love with you!
But that has nothing to do...
I cannot please everybody,
So I will please me!
That doesn’t mean
you are not right;
We all have only one life!
On Enlightening
Entertainment,
Supreme Master
Television is pleased
to introduce different
forms of arts
from Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
as well as from other
countries in the world,
in order to share the beauty
and cultures
of the peoples
on our planet.
Chèo traditional opera
is a folk theater art
which originated
from the regions
near the mountains
and from the plains of
northern Âu Lạc.
There are varied opinions
about the beginning
of chèo traditional opera:
the earliest time
is believed to be
in 4th century BCE
and the most recent
is 14th century, at the end
of the Trần dynasty.
Chèo is a narrative genre
of folk theater,
recounting stories
through a combination of
music, singing and dance.
One of the unique
features of chèo
is a skillful portrayal
of subtle gestures
and movements.
During festivals,
people in the plains of
northern Âu Lạc often
look forward to watching
chèo traditional opera.
The lyrics are infused
with folk poetry and
proverbs; tragedies are
usually counter-balanced
with satires.
Chèo is replete with
the pure simplicity of the
common folk, yet equally
profound in meaning.
The chèo traditional opera
“Tấm Cám” is based
on a famous
Aulacese legend,
about Tấm and Cám,
two half-sisters with
opposite personalities.
Similar to the fairy tale
“Cinderella” from Europe,
the story of “Tấm Cám”
is widely told among
the Aulacese people.
It reflects the concept of
“good people
attract goodness,”
and highlights mercy
for the wrongdoers’ lack
of awareness, allowing
them to have a chance to
repent and make amends.
We now invite you
to enjoy part 2 of the
Aulacese chèo traditional
opera titled “Tấm Cám”
by Lưu Quang Thuận,
with performances
by Quỳnh Mai as Tấm,
Thanh Hường as Cám,
Mai Hương
as Cám’s Mother,
Văn Quân as the Prince,
Anh Tuấn as Guard Thìn,
Xuân Hải as Village Elder ,
Mai Trang as Miss Xoan,
Huệ Liên as Miss Nụ,
Kim Quế as Miss Mận,
Mai Lan as Miss Điều,
Kim Cúc as Elder Đa ,
and other artists.
Please join us
next Thursday for
the conclusion
on Supreme Master
Television.
Thank you for watching
today’s Enlightening
Entertainment.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Coming up is
Words of Wisdom.
So long for now, and
we’ll see you next week.
In the previous episode,
diligent Tấm was able to
gather lots of vegetables
but was tricked by Cám
to be left with none.
She cried in self-pity,
knowing that
upon coming home,
she'd be punished
by her stepmother.
To comfort her,
the Buddha appeared and
gave her a small goby
for company.
One day, when Tấm was
away to tend the buffalo,
the stepmother and Cám
harmed the goby.
When Tấm returned
and called her fish
to come up for his meal,
she knew that
her best friend had
met with misfortune.
As she was crying,
the Buddha appeared
and advised Tấm
to find the goby's bones
to put into a jar and bury
under the foot of the bed.
On the day of the festival,
not wishing
to allow Tấm to go,
the stepmother mixed
the husked and unhusked
rice so Tấm had to stay
home to separate them.
Once again,
the Buddha appeared
and sent sparrows to help
Tấm sort the grains.
The Buddha also
gave her a beautiful outfit
and shoes to attend
the village festival.
Greetings, elders.
Greetings, kind
and young friends.
I’m a visitor from afar
coming to
the countryside
for the festival.
Allow me to
give the target a try.
Sure. Go ahead, please!
Right on target!
He did it again!
Very good!
Try better, young man!
Please move the target
30 meters farther.
I’d like to shoot
the last arrow.
Another 30 meters?
All right.
Target handler!
Place the target
30 meters away.
It’s ready now.
Go ahead, please.
He made it.
He made it?
It’s right on target?
Where is Elder Đa?
Please offer the visitor
a phoenix-shaped
quid of betel.
You’re passing by our
village for the festival.
We’d like to offer you
a fragrant quid of betel.
The betel quid prepared
neatly in the shape
of a soaring phoenix.
(Soaring.)
I must praise the hands
that lend power to
the phoenix’s freedom.
Attention, everyone!
We invite you all
to the riverbank to watch
the boat racing contest.
Attention, everyone!
Let’s go
watch boat racing.
Go watch boat racing,
children.
This way, please.
Have a good time, Elder.
Where are you, Thìn?
(Yes.)
Bring the horse here.
Yes. Go! Go! Oh God!
Your Highness,
Your Highness!
What is it?
It’s very strange.
The white horse
has gone insane.
He refused to step
onto the bridge
but whinnied in
high pitch for a while,
then he lowered his body
and sat on his knees
until now.
Even though
I’m a highly skilled
horse keeper,
this stubborn horse
has driven me crazy.
I’m familiar
with this great horse
since childhood.
He’d go up hill or
down dale obediently.
If he kneels at this easy
bridge and gentle stream,
there must be
a hidden reason.
Your Highness,
I have no heart
to watch you worry.
The stream is shallow.
Let me find out
what is down there.
All right, go check it out.
Yes, Your Highness.
Oh, my, my!
The water is so cool!
Ah! I’ve found it.
A shoe embroidered
with five-colored threads.
It got stuck
at the bridge pier.
Your Highness,
this shoe probably
belongs to a festival goer
who dropped it
on her way.
A dropped shoe
is just an accident.
Why does the great horse
kneel by the stream?
How come my heart stirs
all of a sudden?
She’s like a bird in the sky,
a fish in the water,
where can I find her?
Your Highness,
though festival goers
are many, that person
must be among them.
Even if she’s gone far,
you still have her shoe.
May I ask you,
silver-haired elder:
How can we find
someone in the festival?
Your Highness,
the small embroidered shoe
will fit well the foot
of its owner.
Please have Mr. Thìn
announce for everyone
to come try the shoe.
You’re right.
Thìn? (Yes.)
Borrow a loudspeaker to
make the announcement.
(Yes.)
This is perhaps
a predestined affinity.
I vow to tie a marital bond
with the one
whose foot fits the shoe,
if she isn’t yet
engaged to anyone.
This way, Your Highness!
May I borrow
the loudspeaker?
Attention, everyone!
O women festival goers!
Come to the bridge to try
on the embroidered shoe.
Anyone whose foot
fits the shoe
will be welcomed
to the capital and become
the Prince’s wife.
Attention, everyone!
O sisters!
Come try on the shoe.
What a beautiful shoe!
Younger sisters!
This small shoe creates
a marriage affinity for
a graceful country girl.
Please come in
to try on the shoe.
O Uncle! May I try it on?
Please do! Goodness!
What giant feet!
No, it doesn’t fit.
Next one, please.
Can I try it, Uncle?
Sure, come in, please.
Gee! Too tiny!
Doesn’t fit. Next one!
O Uncle! (What is it?)
Allow my niece, Tiny,
to try on the shoe a little.
This young lady
might make it!
Come in, come in!
Oh, my! It’s so pretty.
Come in here, child.
This is truly
a wonderful affinity.
I’ve spent years
polishing your looks.
If that shoe fits this foot,
my daughter
will be the Prince’s wife.
Go in to try it, sweetie!
Mister! (What is it?)
Try the shoe on me.
(Yes.) Then,
go report to the Prince.
She hasn’t tried it but
already wants to report.
Goodness!
She hasn’t tried it but
already wants to report.
Well, Miss, you want
to try on the shoe too?
(Yes.)
Yes, sure. Here it is.
Goodness,
what kind of foot is this!
Look, everyone!
Who cast such feet
with protruding ankles?
(Protruding ankles.)
Some toes are horn nuts,
others lime spatulas.
(Lime spatulas.)
Toe nails are like
sharp knives.
(Sharp knives.)
Some toes bulge
like a hill. (A hill.)
Miss, may I ask
if your mother ate a lot
while bearing you
as a child?
How do you know that?
My goodness!
No wonder your feet
look so smooth
like ginger roots.
Enough! Just try
the shoe on for me!
Fine, I will.
Take a careful look,
everyone.
This is indeed
the bogey’s foot
with nine straps.
O sweetie! Is your foot
too big or too small?
Ma’am,
it’s neither too big
nor too small.
It just simply, totally…
doesn’t fit.
Anyone else wants to try?
O Mister! Or perhaps...
What now?
Let me try it.
Good God! You want
to try on the shoe too?
Yes, feel free, ma’am.
Oh my! Woe to me!
Please bend down this
sky-pointed toe for me.
Bend down, down, down!
Fine then. Bent or not,
try it on anyway!
Try, try, try!
Enough!
You’ve fractured my toes.
Awful! Did you have fun?
Her feet are like
banana bulbs.
Seeing people trying,
she also wants to try.
Well, respected elder,
you’re welcome
to try again,
and go to the capital
to be the Prince’s
great grandmother.
(Stop it!) Now,
anyone else wants to try?
That young lady!
Come, come.
O Elder!
Sister Tấm hasn’t tried it.
Go find and
bring Tấm here.
Yes, Elder.
Sister Tấm!
Mother, Tấm’s here.
Greetings, Elder.
Go try on the shoe, child.
How could she
get here that early?
And where did she get
such a beautiful outfit?
When she goes home
this time...
This is the shoe
I dropped in the stream,
so it must fit my foot.
O Buddha,
I feel so confused.
If the shoe fits my foot,
what will come next?
Come try on the shoe,
Miss!
Go try it on, child!
For Heaven’s sake!
Even a bell and musical
stone are no match,
much less a cast-off piece
of broken earth pot.
Ignore her!
Just come try it on.
Tấm, don’t be afraid.
Just go try it on.
Go try it on, sister Tấm!
Yes.
Mom!
Let’s go home.
Ah, it fits! It fits!
O Elder, it’s the shoe
that I dropped.
Here is the other shoe.
Oh! You have
the other shoe too?
O mister,
she has the other one too.
Really?
Listen, everyone!
Do you know
who shot three arrows
right on the target?
Who is he, mister?
He’s the Prince.
It’s the Prince, child!
His Highness is coming.
Here comes the Prince!
It’s our first meeting;
I know not your name.
How old are you?
Do you have any
relatives remaining?
Your eyes are clear,
a stream of flowing hair.
Are you yet betrothed
to anyone?
Tấm!
The Prince asked you.
Answer him, child.
Answer the Prince,
sister Tấm!
Your Highness,
I’m Tấm of
the remote Mai village.
I’ve seen 18 springs;
my parents passed away
long ago.
As an orphan, I’ve
endured rain and shine.
I’m not yet engaged
to anyone.
A grain of rice
from Mai village,
my life is like a grain
of rice in Mai village,
waiting for a day
when a shoe brings about
a harmonious marriage.
In my hometown,
the stream meanders
around the hill.
You follow the stream
that leads you
to the bridge.
Our hometown loves Tấm.
We watch Tấm leave us
for her sweet bond of love.
A path of life adorned
with myriad flowers.
The good bird
has fully grown.
It takes wing,
flying far away.
She’s risen overnight
to the noble rank,
as the King’s
daughter-in-law
for four months already.
My daughter and I
are in this village corner,
unable to swallow
our meals.
My daughter
is sulking from envy,
while I am...
I’m really boiling
with anger.
Today is her father’s
death anniversary.
When she comes back,
I’ll...
O Mom! My sister Tấm
is here now.
Really?
Bring your sister in.
Greetings, Stepmother.
There you are, Tấm.
I’ve been waiting;
I thought
you wouldn’t return.
Where is the Prince,
sweetie?
He didn’t feel well
from his trip yesterday,
so he had the soldiers
escort me here to
visit you and my sister.
So, are you both well?
I’m fine.
Mr. Thìn,
bring the gifts in here.
Tấm, since you’re back
for your father’s
death anniversary,
it’s only right that
you stay here a few days
with us.
Just tell the soldiers
to go back and come
for you in a few days.
(Yes.)
Mr. Thìn! (Yes.)
Tell the soldiers
to go back for now,
and report to the Prince
that I’ll stay here.
They can come for me
in a few days.
Yes, but...
It’s all right. Just go!
Yes, Your Highness.
Look, children!
Go prepare
to pay worship
to your father soon,
then tonight you two
can talk to your
hearts’ content.
Go inside, children. (Yes.)
Yes, Stepmother.
She asked me how I am.
She looks lovely
like a freshly opened
peach blossom,
yet I feel like I’m rubbed
by salt and pierced
by needles.
Your stepmother is
still as strong as a tiger.
I walk firmly, speak
discreetly, act promptly.
All four corners
in the backyard are quiet,
yet I feel my inside
burning hot.
Get rid of
the chewed betel quid,
and no one will know
anything.
May the deities in ten
directions witness this.
O Mom! Who do we
invite to Dad’s death
anniversary today?
What for?
Tấm is back today;
the more deserted
the house, the better it is.
The festival unexpectedly
led to my happy marriage.
O clear well,
I’m back now.
Before, I was like
a tormented hay and weed.
Now I’m happy, flowers
adorning my hair.
Back in my home village,
this small yard and well,
I remember
when I alone carried
the heavy water buckets
back and forth.
Before, when Goby
swam freely here,
I used to talk to Goby.
How I miss him!
I didn’t expect to leave
home on the festival day
to follow you.
I miss my hometown.
The well asks for you;
it longs for your visit.
You good-for-nothing!
You can’t even
do just that.
Your older sister
just came home.
She’s tired.
How can she climb the tree?
Why are you scolding
my sister?
Tấm,
the betels for offering,
you prepared very nicely.
As for the areca,
I’m not quite pleased.
Help your sister
climb the tree
to pick young areca!
There’s a bunch laden
with areca nuts
by the pond.
Cám! Why are you crying?
I fell down when
climbing the areca tree.
In our family,
only you’re used
to climbing trees.
But you’re now
a beautiful lady
in luxurious clothes,
it’s difficult
to climb an areca tree.
O Cám,
what’s difficult about it!
I love our father
and am back for
his death anniversary.
I wouldn’t mind
climbing up high.
Stepmother,
I’m going to gather
areca nuts by the pond.
Please wait for me
a moment.
Tấm! (Yes.)
Take off your gown
to climb easily, child!
Yes, Stepmother.
The areca trunk
is mold-white.
Who could fathom
my heart?
She climbs up high;
I’ll let her fall
into the deep pond.
Mom, what if
the villagers find out?
Who’s here to know?
Only after she dies,
can we rise to wealth
and honor.
You’ll be the King’s
daughter-in-law,
and I’ll be the Prince’s
mother-in-law.
We’ll both enjoy
a good life.
No, Mom, I beg you!
Let me go!
(I beg you, Mom!)
Let me go! (Mom!)
What are you doing
at the tree’s foot,
Stepmother?
I’m just chasing
the ants away for you.
O Stepmother!
It’s done!
She’s dead in the pond.
The water swirls,
the wind blows,
and yellow leaves rustle.
Water bubbles are settled.
Who’d realize
my deep-laid scheme?
Who’d know about my act?
O Mom,
what are we to do now?
I’ll fish her out,
and bury her at night.
We’ll leave for
the capital at dawn.
We’ll say that
she caught a cold and
died suddenly. (Mom!)
Her younger sister
will replace her instead.
(Mom!)
Your life is over in
the cold and deep pond.
There’s Cám, a fragrant
flower freshly blossoms,
for the Prince to pamper.
Go change your clothes;
we’ll set out early.
Cám will now replace Tấm.
A clever plot,
secretly carried out!
Who’d know it?
I miss your washing
clothes by the lake,
with wafting lotus scent
and rippling water.
You passed away,
the lotus are left to wilt
and my heart to wither
and dry up.
I’m alone in the cold
chamber behind
the bamboo shade.
My pain is so deep.
Where are you now,
beloved?
Your flowery shoes
I save as a remnant
of your love.
I miss your soft voice
at night.
My heart remains
faithful to you.
The front veranda and
back garden are all quiet.
I feel as if you are
still walking in and out.
Oh, missing you,
I sing a song of anguish.
Having now remarried,
do you still remember
the person of old?
O Oriole!
The bird’s earnest song
has stirred the air
in early morning.
Your Highness!
My child! (Mom!)
The Prince went
to Lạc Dương Mountain
yesterday.
You went after him
on horseback.
Did you catch up with him?
I got there when the
Prince was set to return.
Did you go back with him?
No, Mom!
On the way back, our
horses were side by side,
but for eight miles long,
he only gazed at the cloud.
I lament my lot day
and night in this place.
Without love,
I’m afraid my riches
and honor won’t last.
Just persevere.
Even wood and stone
will soften with time.
Besides, your appearance
is lovely.
You must know
how to fuel a fire.
It’s sunny today.
The Prince is taking
a stroll around the lake.
He probably will
come back and sit here
to play his flute.
Just listen to me.
Go make yourself
beautiful like a fairy,
then come out
and talk to the Prince.
Just do as
you did yesterday
and the day before.
But his being indifferent
makes me feel self-pity.
A naive person like you
is rare indeed.
If I were still young
like you,
let alone one prince,
even ten princes,
I’d make them fall madly
in love with me. (Mom!)
Now, go in
and groom yourself.
Yes, Mom.
Thìn! (Yes.)
Where are you going?
Respected great grandma,
I am going to bring
the Prince back,
and play the flute
to relieve his sorrow.
Is the Prince still sad?
Yes.
A gentleman whose
countenance is so gloomy
that even stones
feel pity for him.
This morning
I had to wake up early
to entertain him
to ease his depression.
How did you
entertain him?
I played a monkey
eating betels.
Mr. Thìn! (Yes.)
The dishes I cooked
and asked you to bring
to the Prince
yesterday evening,
did His Highness
make any comment?
I think they were all good,
but what I liked best
was the roasted one.
Did the Prince say so?
Oh, no.
Then, how do you know?
Because I ate it myself.
You dare?
I’ll go report to the Prince.
Wait, wait!
Respected ma’am,
it’s like this.
The Prince didn’t eat;
he told me to have it.
Besides, it takes
so much effort and
money to prepare
these dishes,
if even I dislike it,
it’s a big waste.
Thìn! (Yes.)
The Prince is
my son-in-law. (Right!)
I must take care of
his nourishment. (Correct!)
And you... (Yes.)
Choose your words
when speaking to me,
you hear?
Yes, ma’am.
She’s indeed
a monkey eating betel.
Goodness!
Here comes the daughter.
Awful!
Such mincing steps
she takes!
For God’s sake!
She even preens herself.
All right, let me
play a joke on you,
to lessen my resentment.
O beloved Prince!
You’re at the age
to enjoy married life.
I’m 16,
still brimming of youth.
We’re not far apart;
why make me
wait for you?
Why deny a fresh flower
of passion?
O Prince!
I’m like a rain-soaked shirt;
you’re like a kitchen fire.
I’ve come to warm myself.
I’m like
a rain-soaked shirt.
You’re like a kitchen fire
for me to come in
to warm my hands.
O beloved Prince!
Let me kindle love
and deepen our bond.
Let me kindle love
and deepen our bond.
O beloved Prince!
My God!
You sang very nice!
Why are you sitting here?
Your Highness, I sit here
playing the flute
for the Prince in there
to listen.
I asked,
why are you sitting here?
I finished playing
the flute already.
Now I’ll bring his robe
to wash at the lake.
How dare you wear
His Highness’ robe?
I’m holding
His Highness’ robe.
Am I supposed to throw it
on the ground
if I don’t put it on?
But if I let his robe
drop on the ground,
it’s disrespectful to him.
How dare you mislead
me into mistaking you
as the Prince!
Goodness!
I’m bearded like this,
and someone mistook me
as the Prince.
It’s just because
you’re deeply in love
with the Prince
that you took a chicken
for a phoenix.
Allow me to go
wash the robe.
Wait! Go do other chores.
Let me wash the robe,
and remember to tell
the Prince right away
that I myself washed
his robe for him,
you hear? (Yes.)
Goodness!
How can that kind of
hand wash anything?
She probably just dips it
in the water once.
If you like to wash,
go ahead then.