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.
The drum tempo varies
between fast and slow,
merging with
singing voices which
at times are elevated
in pitch, other times
deep and powerful.
In brilliant costumes,
lissome movements
are in every gesture.
Actors and actresses
are differentiated
by distinctive make-up,
so that the audience
can easily identify
between the loyal
and the obsequious,
the noble ranks
and humble subjects.
This is hát bội
(classical theatre),
a performing art
in Âu Lạc (Vietnam),
originating from
the common people
and becoming more
widespread among them
in the 13th century
under the Lý and
the Trần dynasties.
In the later Lê dynasty,
classical theatre was
introduced to the Court to
entertain the royal family
and mandarins.
In the 19th century,
Mr. Đào Tấn developed
classical theatre and
opened a performing school.
He also built the first
classical theatre
in Bình Định province,
central Âu Lạc.
Since then,
classical theatre has
flourished in both artistic
and literary aspects.
Classical theatre operas
are often based on
historical references,
highlighting moral values.
Today, classical theatre
is considered a traditional
performing art of Âu Lạc.
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.
The classical theatre
opera “Legend of
a National Mother”
was based on a tale
of the Champa people in
Âu Lạc about the Mother
Goddess Po Nagar
(also venerated by
the people as Goddess
Ya Na or Lady Jade),
a holy mother who
taught people to weave
and plant rice, so they
could live independently
and prosperously.
The story also
demonstrates that all
heavenly arrangements
are derived from God’s
boundless compassion,
so that all souls have
the opportunity to advance.
Till this day, every year
from the 20th to 23rd days
of the third month
of the lunar calendar,
local people, especially
in central Âu Lạc,
still celebrate
the Po Nagar Festival
to express gratitude to a
beloved National Mother.
We now invite you
to enjoy part 1 of the
classical theatre opera
“Legend of
a National Mother”
by playwright
Nguyễn Sỹ Chức.
This opera will be
presented in 2 episodes,
with performances by
artists Kim Hùng as
Prince Lưu Quang,
Thu Hà as
Fairy Dương Ngọc,
Thanh Hoa as Phú Loan,
Bạch Én as
Holy Queen Mother,
Xuân Hùng as Phú Long,
Như Yến as Chế Phụng,
Kim Khiên as Thúy Hồng,
Anh Sang as
the Jade Emperor,
Văn Nghiêm as
Southern Sphere Deity,
Quang Hưng as
Northern Sphere Deity,
Hữu Hải as Thunder Deity,
and other artists.
We thank you for
watching Enlightening
Entertainment today.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Words of Wisdom
is coming up.
So long for now.
We’re the saints
and fairies from
a hundred grottos
and nine lakes,
gathering here.
May almighty
Jade Emperor preside
over Paradise and
reign over all creations.
Be at ease!
Long live the Jade Emperor!
I’m the legendary God,
eternally titled
“Jade Emperor.”
I ride the benign wind,
my supremacy renowned
in ten directions.
I tread down dark clouds
to pacify the six realms.
On the occasion of
this Double Nine day,
I open a celestial festival
to celebrate the nine
palaces’ peaceful time
and the eight directions’
bounteous blessings.
Fays! (Yes.)
Present your lively
singing and dancing
for me and the thousands
of fairies and deities
to relish our jade cups
of nectar to our
hearts’ content!
Yes. A pearl is infused
with royal grace.
Nine strata of suns
and moons reverberate
with music.
Gentle breeze wafts
the ethereal grottos.
Tender air permeates
the millions of courtyards.
Lush willows silhouette
in the palace front.
Crystalline pear
blossoms are dotted
with snowy dew.
Luscious ambrosia,
blissful melody,
and rainbow dances
delight the celestial assembly.
Luscious ambrosia,
blissful melody,
and rainbow dances
delight the celestial assembly.
Let’s celebrate!
Oh, how strange!
What kind of
an unusual sound is it
that makes me
half elated, half agitated?
I feel dazed
all of a sudden
listening to this music
resonating from
the lower realm.
Very bizarre!
Very extraordinary!
Your Divinity, allow me
to go to the north gate
of the Celestial Palace
to find out what it is.
I approve. Thunder Deity!
Yes. (Carry it out!)
Order obeyed.
Revered Jade Emperor!
Earth is now lively
with the sound of gongs,
elegant singing
and dancing.
Young men and women
from all villages gather
to rejoice in festivities.
What!?
Young men and women
from all villages gather
to rejoice in festivities?
Yes.
So, the worldlings
are celebrating?
But what are they
celebrating,
Thunder Deity?
Revered Jade Emperor,
from what I saw,
rain and wind have
ceased to threaten Earth;
hurricane has halted
for the time being.
But the oddest thing is
amidst the vast water body,
now suddenly appears
a mountain alongside
the forest helping
the earthlings
escape the great flood.
How infuriating!
For the last few days,
I’ve ordered
the Water World’s
Crown Prince to raise
the Eastern Sea level
and use aquatic monsters
to punish the world
because moral values
are lost in
human relationships,
and kindness and
gratefulness are absent
among people.
Some celestial beings
must have used
their magic power
to manifest
a high mountain
amid the swamp and
help the lower world
escape the great flood.
Revered Jade Emperor,
please have the
Thunder Deity descend
on Earth immediately
and seize the one
who deliberately
disobeys orders
for a fair trial according
to Heaven’s law.
Let the nine levels of
saints, sages and fairies
realize God
the Jade Emperor’s
supremacy.
Petition approved.
Thunder Deity! (Yes.)
Carry out orders! (Yes.)
By Heaven’s decree,
I have brought here
the culprit.
Who is that, Thunder Deity?
My Lord,
that is fairy Dương Ngọc,
a disciple of
Western Palace
Holy Queen Mother.
What?
The one who causes
disturbance and turns
topsy-turvy heavenly law
is a disciple of
the Holy Queen Mother
on fairy palace?
What have you to say,
fairy Ngọc Vân?
Ngọc Nữ, child!
Report to His Divinity
what happened.
Revered Jade Emperor,
I humbly think that
in governing the Earth,
we should rely on
kindness and generosity
to convert people.
Why has Heaven the heart
to use harsh punishment
and sow misery
and resentment?
Be quiet!
Don’t you forget that
all this time on Earth,
the strong oppress
the weak, the wealthy
repress the poor.
They wage wars
to expand territories.
They hold
neither veneration
for God in Heaven
nor regard for
the Goddess on Earth.
Thus Heaven must have
severe punishments
for earthly people
to realize that their
existence or destruction
and all topsy-turvy
are caused by
the self-opinion of
what is right and wrong.
Your Divinity,
though the world engages
in fierce fights, it’s due to
those who covet
fame and wealth.
But other people
in eight directions are
very kind and caring.
It’s the wicked who
must be disciplined for
their serious offenses,
while the decent people
should enjoy
heavenly grace.
Doing so is true sagacity;
judging so is true wisdom.
I humbly implore
the mighty God to make
a judicious judgment.
Heaven shouldn’t let all
earthly people endure
the same misfortune.
Be quiet!
How a punishment
or reward is carried out
in the universe
is Heaven’s business.
How could
Heaven’s decision or
judgment be erroneous?
How could it be wrong?
Revered Jade Emperor,
I personally think
Dương Ngọc should be
exiled to Earth
for three full years
to experience the
suffering worldly life.
That’s right!
We must let all
celestial deities see that
as an example.
We must wholeheartedly
repay heavenly grace.
Very reasonable!
Very advisable!
One who doesn’t
appreciate life in Paradise
must join in the
worldly existence.
One who spurns
the power of
the Ninth Celestial realm
will be banished to the
perilous life on Earth.
Revered Jade Emperor!
Talk no more,
Queen Mother!
I do not wish
to discuss this further.
Thunder Deity! (Yes.)
After three
resounding strikes of
the celestial copper drum,
exile Dương Ngọc
to Earth right away!
Order obeyed.
Court dismissed.
O Jade Emperor!
Alas,
I’ll be confined on Earth
for three long years.
Ngọc Nữ, my child!
O Queen Mother,
after my departure,
I’ll gaze up above at the
Ninth Palace in anguish,
braving
countless hardships.
O Holy Queen Mother!
Ngọc Nữ, O child!
Who will think of
a lonesome soul?
Inescapable is the net
of Heaven and Earth.
Unassuaged is my sorrow.
Beloved child!
I grieve my plight.
Now I take leave,
tearful and heartbroken.
The celestial drum resounds
at the celestial palace.
It’s time to bid farewell.
My sorrow is untold,
my grief immeasurable,
O child!
Queen Mother!
Who has the heart
to devise misfortune,
sending you to the deep
forest and mountain?
Now you’ll
go to the far end
of the sky and sea.
You’ll create affinity
with the earthlings
to where you are exiled.
Your steadfast heart
of goodness will shine
brightly when you return
to Paradise. Ngọc Nữ!
Per Divine order,
I am to exile fairy Dương
to the lower world.
If you deliberately
act against it,
Earth will be
your eternal prison.
Ngọc Nữ, child!
Say what you want to say
quickly and let me carry
out our superior’s order.
Alas, I resent
the lofty authority.
I’m frustrated despite
my full magic power.
How I pity your bearing
so much bitterness!
I’m choked with tears
at the parting moment,
O child!
O Holy Queen Mother,
Heaven and Earth
are vastly far apart.
I’m pained thinking of
this separation!
Day after day,
I’ll gaze longingly
at the Milky Way.
Month after month,
I’ll weep unceasing tears
of grief.
I shall take leave now
and wait for the moment
I return to Heaven.
O Ngọc Nữ!
Ngọc Nữ!
Quickly follow me
to your exile,
so I can return to report
to the jade throne!
Ngọc Nữ!
O five-color clouds!
Take Ngọc Nữ down
to Earth.
Ngọc Nữ, child!
With the sound
of the weaving loom
each fine thread sparkles
in spring sunlight.
Flowery brocade boasts
its bright color.
My hands move
in rhythm as I
embroider a sheet
of rosy-hued fabric.
Spring arrives
with singing in the air.
Lush coconut trees tilt to
wave at the emerald sea.
Birds glide over
rolling waves.
Our homeland’s sky
and ocean are evermore
beautiful in spring.
O sisters!
We were too enraptured
in weaving so we forgot
that it’s getting late.
If the sun sets, we will
have the moonlight.
Mountains and forests
will appear
even more enchanting.
Respected sister, I think
the rosy-hued fabric,
we should continue
to weave.
Let’s challenge
one another in skill.
When the moon rises
to the zenith,
Sister Ngọc will come
to see who is the best.
That’s right. Good idea!
One sheet of fine fabric
for each person.
See who will finish first?
One, two, three.
Let’s begin!
With the sound
of the weaving loom
each fine thread sparkles
in spring sunlight.
Flowery brocade boasts
its bright color.
My hands move
in rhythm as I
embroider a sheet
of rosy-hued fabric.
Spring arrives
with singing in the air.
Lush coconut trees tilt to
wave at the emerald sea.
Birds glide over
rolling waves.
Our homeland’s sky
and ocean are evermore
beautiful in spring.
Greetings, Sister Ngọc.
Greetings,
all my younger sisters.
O Sister Ngọc,
you left since
the moon was young,
and now it’s round perching
on the mountain top.
Before I was not adept
at the shuttle,
and now I’m proficient
at that loom.
This piece of silk
was made from the jutes.
Every thread was
completely soaked in water.
O Sister,
this moonlit night,
we’ve determined
to demonstrate
our best needlework.
Sister Ngọc, please see
who is adept or who is
still inept at the loom.
O, very beautiful!
Very skillful!
This piece is both
smooth and thick.
This sheet is soft
and also shiny.
You’ve chosen
a rather hot tone for
this fabric’s background.
How about mine?
This fabric has some
threads not yet refined.
How about...
Although more practice
is still needed,
but in my opinion...
What is your opinion,
Sister?
I think you all deserve
to be praised.
Bravo, Sister Ngọc!
If you don’t have
any questions, then on
this full moon occasion,
I’ll borrow the moonlight
as our lamp
and teach you all
how to germinate
and plant rice seeds.
You’re going teach us
how to germinate
and plant rice seeds?
What is a rice plant, Sister?
You must realize:
For earthly existence
to be less miserable,
humankind can’t
just know manioc
and potatoes.
I’ve brought
Heaven’s rice here
to help the world
make a livelihood.
We, country girls,
are grateful
to Heaven’s grace.
Now! Quickly line up
and watch.
I’ll teach you to
sow the rice seeds.
In lively rhythm, the
hands move gracefully.
Rice seeds sown will
grow lush in the fields.
Rice seeds sown will
grow lush in the fields.
With it, we build
a comfortable life.
In lively rhythm, our
hands move gracefully.
Rice seeds sown will
grow lush in the fields.
Rice seeds sown will
grow lush in the fields.
With it, we build
a comfortable life.
Phú Long! Phú Long!
Know You not,
God the Jade Emperor?
Earthly life is beset with
anguish and heartache.
An aged mother bemoans
her filial son who stays
in a deep forest
with altered appearance.
Blind eyes shed tears
like pouring rain.
Late at night,
I’m still steeped
in mounting grief.
Late at night,
I’m still steeped
in mounting grief.
O Auntie, sit down here
to rest for a while.
We have crossed
8 mountains
and 9 meadows,
but there’s still
no trace of Phú Long.
I think...
No, we can’t, O child!
If your legs are weary,
let’s stop here for now
to find a place to rest.
I believe that my son
Phú Long is still alive,
but he dares not face
people in the village.
I’m intent
on fulfilling my vow
to Heaven and Earth:
even I must die,
I’m determined
to find that child.
Please sit down here,
Auntie.
I, Dương Ngọc, would
like to greet the Elder.
May I ask
where you are from?
Why do you keep
shedding tears?
Why do you keep
calling your son,
looking so wretched?
O Sister, Auntie Phú Loan
lost her eyesight
in a mishap.
Brother Phú Long,
out of love for his mother,
couldn’t leave
the deep forest.
On hushed moonlit nights,
he still turns toward
the village, howling.
What? On hushed
moonlit nights, he still
turns to the village,
howling? (Yes.)
You mean that
young man has forgotten
his mother tongue and
transformed into
a wild beast.
How in the world
did such a frightful thing
happen?
Why sow anguish,
O Heaven and Earth?
O Phú Long!
If you’re indeed my son,
come let me embrace you.
I’ve languished
after years of longing
and searching for you.
Come here, child!
Phú Long!
That’s right. It’s my son.
O God very high above,
beyond the nine clouds,
know You not
the heartrending scene
on Earth?
Phú Long!
The vastness of Heaven
and Earth has limit,
yet the world’s resentment
spirals to no end.
Phú Long!
O Phú Long!
You promised to return
to your aged mother
and the villagers
after one moon.
Who would expect that...
It’s been three seasons
of falling leaves
on the field,
you’re still somewhere
deep in the mountain,
leaving not a trace
in the wild.
O Phú Long!
My tears pour as I
see your wretched form.
Phú Long!
Don’t run away, Brother!
Don’t run away, my son!
I’m choked with tears,
grieving for a lone soul.
O God!
Have You eyes or not?
How could You
let the world
be beset with woes?
Son, I’ve turned blind
from crying for you.
How can you have
the heart to desert me?
When will mother
and child reunite?
Phú Long!
Don’t run, Brother!
Why is the world afflicted
with many misfortunes?
Witnessing their plight,
I feel perplexed.
If I help them,
I’m at fault with Heaven.
But if I don’t save
that young man
and his mother,
I’ll regret for eternity.
Alas, if the Jade Emperor
is angered,
I’ll shoulder the grave
punishment myself.
O Holy Queen Mother,
I’m determined
to help people out
of an utterly tragic plight.
O brightly
shining Sun and Moon!
O Heaven,
deities and fairies
of a hundred grottos!
Help me return vision
to the virtuous mother.
Return to the filial son
his voice.
Return to the filial son
his voice.
Help me return vision
to the virtuous mother.
Oh, Mom!
Mom! (Phú Long!)
Mom! (Phú Long!)
Your vision is back
all of a sudden.
It’s Phú Long’s voice
calling his mother!
I bow in gratitude,
O benefactor.
Heaven indeed has eyes
to bestow such grace.
Girl,
stop praying right now!
What kind of grace is it?
What’s right or wrong?
What do you humans
with physical eyes know
to dare sing praise?
And you!
You violated the law
from the celestial palace
and are thus
confined on Earth.
Yet you continue to use
Holy Queen Mother’s
magic power
to rescue mother and son
before seeking
approval from
God the Jade Emperor.
I now obey
the Jade Emperor
to banish Ngọc Nữ
to the Northern Sea.
No, you can’t
take the fairy away.
Why judge
a righteous person?
You can’t take
the fairy away.
Why judge
a righteous person?
A headstrong bunch indeed!
Dare you go against
Heaven’s sanction?
Ngọc Nữ, listen!
If you want those people
to stay alive,
then get to Northern Sea
immediately.
If you disobey,
two people will be crushed
under this divine spear.
That’d be Phú Long
and Chế Phụng. (No!)
Hold it!
I agree to be exiled
to the Northern Sea.
O Fairy!
O Elder, Phú Long,
Chế Phụng and everyone,
listen!
A human life,
with its 36,000 days, is brief.
After I leave,
Elder and all of you just
stay and learn to cultivate
rice and weave fabric.
That is to create good
fortune and happiness,
to build your homeland
amid adversities.v
Ngọc Nữ!
Be quiet, now!
I leave here
with you my love.
My anguish grows as the
miles stretch between us.
O Fairy,
the tide rises wave
after silvery wave.
You go to a strange land,
yet your great favor
is remembered.
O Elder, look forward to
our reunion in the future.
Though Southern sky and
Northern Sea are apart,
we engrave this love
in our hearts.
O silvery waves!
Send Dương Ngọc
faraway from here!
Fairy!
Deities and fairies,
countless well wishes
and melodious singing.
For thousands of years,
our achievements
are as magnificent
as the Thái Mountain,
as splendid as the
everlasting Hoàng River.
Like green buds,
strong and vibrant,
we firmly
steer the ship of rank
and power to glory.
we firmly
steer the ship of rank
and power to glory.
We raise our cups amidst
countless well wishes
and melodious singing.
Dương Ngọc! Please!
For thousands of years,
our achievements
are as magnificent
as the Thái Mountain,
as splendid as the
everlasting Hoàng River.
Like green buds,
strong and vibrant,
we firmly
steer the ship of rank
and power to glory.
we firmly
steer the ship of rank
and power to glory.
Dismissed!
That dance tenderly
rouses a romantic mood.
Golden moon shimmers
on the shrine loft.
Why is your youthful
and lovely countenance
lacking glow?
Since Your Highness asks,
I’m obliged to explain.
What is it, Dương Ngọc?
I’m someone
who dwells amidst
the mountain and forest
in foreign soil.
The blissful time with
people in that distant land
of Đại An has been deeply
ingrained in my mind.
Coming to
the Northern Sea,
I’m fortunate to be
brought here to keep
Your Highness company.
In the royal garden,
we’ve sung and
composed twin poems
at late night.
O Your Highness,
that may be called joy,
but I...
Dương Ngọc!
But... but what, precious?
Alas!
I miss the times when
I sowed rice seeds.
I miss that life when food
and clothes were lacking,
yet people were truly
loving, heart and soul.
I now take refuge
in foreign soil,
but my mind lingers
in that blissful time.
O Crown Prince, though
my body is imprisoned
in the Northern Sea,
my heart yearns ceaselessly
for the Southern sky.
O Dương Ngọc!
Since I met you,
the splendor of the
capital city isn’t different
from worldly dust,
and the royal garden seems
like a mountain area.
Every morning,
I falter with every step,
overcome with emotion.
Every evening,
I await anxiously.
When the sky turns red
at sunset,
it’s when you appear
from this aloewood statue
and join me in poetry
and recital
to our hearts’ content.
O Dương Ngọc!
This is a silken fan bestowed
by my Royal Father,
on which
we will compose
twin poems tonight.
I borrow poetry
to confide my feeling.
Please render some
comment, lovely Fairy.
Yes, Your Highness.
Such a beautiful poetic work!
Dew falls on the royal
palace at late night.
Dream fades –
Spring impression
lingers still.
Timidly, a waft of breeze
comes through
the chamber’s window.
A waning moon,
a perplexed soul, forlorn!
I wander about
the night-long, awaiting
my precious friend.
In the literary room,
alone I brood.
This world is vast,
people are myriad.
Where am I to find
a kindred soul?
Alas! In your
self-narrative poem,
every word,
a lofty melody of love,
every thought
stirs the heart.
Oh Dương Ngọc, why?!
But as I think of
the changing nature
of this world, I feel it
difficult to tell the
particulars of my story.
Dương Ngọc!
The drum signifying
night’s end is resounding.
Alas, our time together
has come to an end!
Dương Ngọc!
In that wooden statue,
I seek refuge
during daylight. (No.)
I will be with you again
at moonrise.
No, Dương Ngọc! Wait!
O Dương Ngọc,
we’ve just met;
why part so soon?
Our heart-to-heart talk
isn’t yet complete,
we already
have to part ways.
For a thousand days
since I have known you,
that many nights
I’ve shed doleful tears.
O cherished, I’ve wept
far into the night.
Lưu Quang, O beloved!
One is a celestial being,
the other an Earthling;
thus I advise you
not to make solemn vows
to the sea and mountain.
O Dương Ngọc!
Why did we chance
upon each other
if we aren’t meant for
a lifetime bond on Earth?
Dương Ngọc!
Look! The horizon
is brightening.
Dương Ngọc!
It’s time
I must bid you adieu.
Wait! Dương Ngọc!