Today’s
Enlightening Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Malay,
Mongolian, 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
“The King Who Plowed”
is based on
an Aulacese legend,
praising the virtues
of a wise king
who loved his people
and encouraged them to
build lives of prosperity
and happiness with their
own hands and minds.
At the same time,
it extols the beauty
of the country’s
traditional professions.
We now invite you
to enjoy part 1 of
the chèo traditional opera
“The King Who Plowed,”
written by
playwright Bùi Vũ Minh.
This opera is presented
in 2 episodes,
with performances
by Thanh Tú as King,
Trang Nhung as Hương Sen,
Mạnh Hùng as Sấm,
Mạnh Thắng
as Attendant Nhỡ,
Bích Việt as Miss Mai,
Tuyết Lan
as Hương Sen’s mother,
Quang Sáng
as Village Mayor Cửu,
Duy Khương
as Village Chief Quých,
and other artists.
Thank you
for watching today’s
Enlightening Entertainment.
Please stay tuned to
Supreme Master
Television.
Coming up is
Words of Wisdom.
Farewell for now.
Villagers beat the drum
and raised the flags.
They followed the King
to work on the land,
bringing comfort to all.
O the King who plowed!
The King plowed
to cultivate the land.
The King plowed
to develop the country.
Villagers beat the drum
and raised the flags.
They followed the King
to work on the land,
bringing comfort to all.
O the King who plowed!
The King plowed
to cultivate the land.
The King plowed
to develop the country.
Welcome the drum!
The drum beats resound
over the southern sky.
Let’s welcome
the sound of the drum.
The drum beats
urge the young men to go
develop the country.
The drum beats echo far
and the drum beats from
inside Mother Earth.
O peaceful land with
rivers and mountains!
The drum beats as if
to stir love for the
motherland in our hearts.
I thank all for your praise.
Our village’s young men
dedicate the drum
to the village.
O master, come in here!
Here it is. The sound is
from this drum, master.
Greetings, everyone.
I’m a traveler from afar
who follows the sound
of the drum here.
May I ask you a question?
Who made this drum?
I’m the drummaker, sir.
Excellent!
Today,
I’ve met a talented man.
Try harder, brother Sấm!
I bow to you in admiration
of your strength.
With this strength,
you can beat the drum.
I can beat this drum?
Let me ask you.
Does the drummaker
sell the drum? I’ll buy it.
This is a village treasure
which will be offered
to the King.
Yes, it’s for sale
and right away. Why not?
Sấm, who told you
it’s not for sale?
And who said
you’re the drummaker?
You...
You people still
owe me money for which
I haven’t bothered to ask.
Sấm! Come here!
Let me ask you.
Whose money was used
to make the drumhead?
Whose money was used
to make the drum stick?
May I ask who is this man?
I’m the Village Chief.
Need to know my name?
Quých.
A village chief
is indeed powerful!
Exactly! Because all
villagers are my debtors.
O Sấm, look!
Your granddaddy
owes me money.
Your daddy owes me money.
Your elder sister
owes me money.
And you yourself
work for me.
So many debts!
To be free of debt,
you must let me
sell this drum.
Brother Sấm!
Respected Village Chief,
my grandfather’s and
father’s debt, I will pay.
But the making of this
drum is not my own labor,
but that of many people.
I’ll be so heartbroken
if you sell it now.
Even if it’s a village’s
gems or anything,
I’ll sell it anyhow.
Dull-witted!
You’ll gain
both money and fame,
but you don’t want it.
I’ll tell the whole world
that if you don’t pay
my debt or act
according to my wish,
then...Watchman!
Bring me a knife. (Yes.)
I’ll slash this drum to ruins.
Oh God!
Mr. Village Chief!
I beg you! Don’t do that.
Have anything you want.
It should be so.
Sấm, pick up
the walking stick for me!
Brother Sấm!
All right, how about this:
Considering
your many months’ work
of chiseling and paring,
I’ll pay you 3 pennies
to buy rice.
If you were others,
I’d only pay 1 penny.
It’s out of my affection
for my co-villagers.
You must let me
sell this drum.
So you intend
to rob my credit?
This drum is not mine alone,
but it’s the essence
of the entire village.
I’ve put much heart
and mind into it so that
the King will know about
our village’s profession.
O drum, unexpectedly,
not only my labor is fruitless,
but I’m full of sorrow.
O homeland,
do you fathom
this painful disgrace?
Is it the drum’s lament or
my heart’s plaintive voice?
Our ancestors worked hard
to pass down
the traditional skills
to make our nation
strong and prosperous.
And now, for what reason
the drum’s grief sounds
so heart-rending.
It sounds so heart-rending.
The world is full of irony.
Our homeland’s
drum beats
are filled with agony.
Village Chief, I won’t
take your money anyway.
And the drum now
belongs to the village.
You can do anything
you want with it.
Brother Sấm!
Brother Sấm!
O Sấm,
there’s no other way.
Swallow this disgrace.
Take it, brother!
No, Sen.
Don’t accept that disgrace!
Brother Sấm!
O visitor!
Do you want to
buy the drum? I’ll sell it.
No. This drum
is the village’s gem.
I have no right to buy it.
You don’t want to buy it
anymore? Or you have
not enough money?
All right, watchmen?
(Yes.)
Take the drum home
for me. (Yes.)
Hold it!
O sisters!
Hurry up! Quickly!
A precious piece of
bright-colored silk
my hands have woven.
I take it to the rural market
for visitors from afar
who come
to observe our skills.
My homeland’s silk
is woven into poems.
The precious piece of silk
longs for his hands.
Mountains stretch
and wild flowers’ scent
permeates the air.
My hands embroider
the village’s mountains
and streams.
This silk piece is
imprinted with images
of our native land.
O miss!
May I ask you something?
What is your question?
Miss! O Miss!
Gaze not too long,
or my heart will ache!
Watch it!
The hot betel makes
your cheeks and lips rosy.
Your slender waist
and your glance
enrapture me.
A cluster of hot betels
is worth 3 dollars.
I bought a bag of it
upon your parents’ visit.
I asked: Do you agree?
With Heaven’s grace,
a happy couple
we will be.
There have been
all kinds of problems
since this morning.
Business is slow,
and I even have to deal
with this naughty man
who speaks nonsense.
Why say I speak nonsense?
I speak the truth.
I want to buy
this piece of silk.
How lovely!
Those rosy cheeks
and attractive lips!
Oh, sorry!
The rosy enamel
and emerald ceramic.
The blue pattern is like
a doe’s eyes at sunset.
So…
are you going to sell it?
Are you asking seriously
or just joking?
What do you mean
“joking”? I’m serious.
If you’re serious,
let me tell you.
Be careful,
otherwise you’d be
enjoying a flower without
knowing its scent,
enjoying the moon
without knowing
if it’s full or crescent.
Remember your words
and never forget!
I’ll buy for sure.
But there’s so few here,
it’s not worth it.
All right. Wait here.
I’ll go back to get more.
If you don’t buy,
then you must
compensate me.
All right.
Any compensation is fine.
Sister Sen!
Mai!
Thank goodness,
you’re here!
Watch the merchandise
for me, will you?
Sure, just go.
Wait here,
I’ll go back to get more.
If you don’t buy them,
don’t blame me
for what will happen.
O Miss! Wait for me!
The market is vivacious,
yet I’m sad
and self-pitying.
Why does poverty
follow me all my life?
Does anyone
understand me?
I have but a mended dress
to go to the market.
A bamboo boat lashed
by waves from both sides
drifts alone in a vast sea.
Amidst the waves,
the lonely boat
flows not downstream,
but away from the shore.
The pitiful boat is broken
through its ups and downs.
Sister Sen!
Such a beautiful
piece of silk, why sell it?
I won’t tell you;
it’ll make me feel pitiful.
Tell us, sister!
You know what?
As soon as
I finish a silk piece,
Village Chief
Quých seizes it.
My mom is ill and
I have no more money
to buy threads.
Lately we ran out of rice
and money to buy
my mom medicine.
I have to sell
the last silk piece I have.
The market is crowded
and cheery today, isn’t it?
Oh, Sen!
You’re going to the market?
Let me see
what you are selling.
A piece of silk!
(Mr. Village Chief!)
You dare hide it from me
to sell it in the market?
You try to run away
from your debt to me?
Mr. Village Chief!
I beg you, sir!
This silk piece is of
much sweat and tears.
Please think of
my family situation
and let me sell it
to get money for
my mother’s medicine.
What kind of illness is it?
You’re all
a bunch of swindlers,
feigning poverty,
hunger, and sickness.
You eat to your fill with
the money I lent you.
Why don’t you think that
my money is sick too?
I beg you, sir!
Let me sell this piece
of silk to buy threads.
Then I’ll weave
another piece for you.
No.
Mr. Village Chief!
Please have pity on us.
My ill mother has only
me to depend on.
Please have compassion.
Give it to me!
Please, sir!
Mr. Village Chief!
I beg you.
Have compassion and
let me sell this to obtain
money for the medicine.
I beg you to have
sympathy for me.
Please I beg you
a thousand times over.
Please take pity on my
destitute fate for once.
Mr. Village Chief!
I beg you, sir.
Watchmen? Woe to me!
Beat them dead for me!
(Yes.)
Respected sir,
the Mayor is coming.
The Mayor is coming?
(Yes.)
Sen, the Mayor is here now.
I’ll teach you a lesson.
Young uncle would like
to greet Mayor Cửu.
We bow
to the Honorable Mayor.
Young uncle would like
to greet Mayor Cửu.
Did you hear me?
Is that you, Village Chief?
As far as family relation
is concerned,
you’re higher
in the hierarchy.
But when on duty,
you can’t use
such a familial way
of addressing me.
So what was the fight
that has just happened?
Respected sir.
We’re being oppressed.
We’re very miserable.
Yes.
I pity you very much.
Village Chief! (Yes.)
What’s the matter?
Respected sir...
Respected sir...
Respected sir,
it’s like this...
Be quiet and
let the people talk. (Yes.)
The villagers
have the right to speak.
Now, speak up,
dear! I won’t beat you.
Respected sir,
a crop failure due to
floods last year has
reduced the villagers
to destituteness.
The Village Chief took
the opportunity to lend
money with high interest.
A bucket
was counted as two.
He’s forced
debt repayment
before harvest season,
thus impoverishing
the villagers.
That kind of interest
is rather high.
But why borrow
from him if he lends
at a high interest?
Respected sir, we’d
starve to death otherwise.
If you borrow,
then you have to repay.
If it were me, I’d rather
die of hunger than
borrow anything.
Village Chief! (Yes.)
If she doesn’t
pay off the debt, seize
her home and rice field.
Seize her home
and rice field?
Right.
Take the mother and
daughter home to be
your servants, get it?
Respected sir,
you’re absolutely right.
Watchmen? (Yes.)
Take Miss Sen to
my home right away!
(Yes.)
No. You can’t do that!
Mr. Mayor,
I heard that upon news
of crop failure,
the royal court already
sent relief rice to this area.
Why hasn’t it reached
the people?
Where are you from
that you didn’t bow
to the Mayor?
Respected sir.
Not “respected sir” but...
(The Honorable.)
Not Mister, but.. (Elder).
Village Chief! (Yes.)
Your villagers
are very docile.
Yes, very.
One of these days,
distribute a bushel of rice
from your storage
to each person, all right?
What?
There’s no such thing.
It’s fine then.
Where are you from
that you didn’t bow
to the Mayor?
Your Honorable,
my spine has a handicap,
so I’ve never bowed to
anyone since childhood.
Please be generous
and forgive me.
What?
I see no hump at all.
But where are you from?
What’s your name?
What is it?
A mosquito dared land
on your back, sir.
Is it so?
But just pat lightly;
otherwise it hurts.
Respected sir,
you’re not aware of it,
but my master here
is the son of God.
We’re from the capital city.
We heard that
this is very scenic area,
so we came to sightsee.
You look like
a cultured person.
Do you think my
homeland is beautiful?
There are piers and boats,
mountains and rivers.
Yes.
But the tide
hasn’t been that high.
When it’s high, it creates
a vast body of water
that looks so beautiful.
That girl!
Yes.
Come to hear my judgment.
Yes, Your Honorable.
Since the Village Chief
is kind-hearted.
Very kind-hearted!
He helped the needy
in between harvests.
As for the interest rate,
that was agreed upon
between the two of you.
Now you don’t pay
your debt; what is it
you even complain about?
Respected sir!
Therefore, I punish you
for two offenses.
Respected sir!
Money loaned must be paid.
Now you plan
to dodge your debt, yet
still dare call it unjust.
Isn’t it robbing
and shouting for help
at the same time?
What a bitter life!
What can I say?
I just have to accept it.
My fate is like
a water fern.
My life is miserable.
Hardship, poverty
and an ailing mother
Countless woes piled
upon my shoulders.
Whom should I call
upon now?
O Heaven,
would you know
of this poignant sorrow?
How fragile a human life!
Miss, how much do you
owe the Village Chief?
I owe him 5 bushels of rice.
What?
Just 5 bushels of rice?
Yes.
Mr. Village Chief,
may I pay off this
young woman’s debt?
So it’s you,
the visitor who left
because he didn’t
have enough money
to buy the drum.
Today, you act like
a generous man
by paying other
people’s debts.
Indeed, you’re easily
given to women!
Mr. Mayor,
please ask Mr. Chief to
not demand debt payment
from this young woman.
What? You want to pay
this girl’s debt?
Your gentleman-like
generosity
earns my respect.
Yes.
But come here
and listen to me.
The law can’t be
easily bypassed.
You must do something...
to earn a pardon.
Yes.
Your Honorable was
absolutely correct.
The law isn’t easily
disregarded.
But please take pity on her.
Saving a person is of
immeasurable merit.
Someone like you...
must be very compassionate.
Nhỡ! (Yes.)
Honorable Mayor,
please accept it.
It’s because I have
high regard for you.
Village Chief!
5 gold bars and
10 silver bars. (Yes.)
How about this?
Things must be handled
accordingly.
It’s time for me
to leave now.
I’m very grateful to you.
Stand up, Miss.
What is your name?
My family name is Trần.
I’m called Hương Sen.
Hương Sen?
I heard that you have a
very beautiful silk piece.
Show me. (Yes.)
It’s beautiful!
Hương Sen,
I’ll buy this silk
and would like you
to make another one.
You want me
to make another one?
Exactly. Weave the silk
according to these verses.
It flickers like a flame
It stirs like
a green young breeze
It reflects magnificent,
sacred mountains
It lifts the sky high
As evening gently falls,
daylight wanes.
When did fragrant
autumn of yore arrive?
Marvelous!
Nobleman, I’m happy
to accept your request.
It flickers like a flame
It stirs like
a green young breeze
It reflects magnificent,
sacred mountains
It lifts the sky high
A young man from afar
placed an order
for a silk piece.
How thoughtless I was,
knowing not his name!
He came and left
like a summer cloud.
Why is it I feel restless?
Am I waiting for him?
But it’s really groundless.
Could it be that
I secretly long for him?
No. I long for him
just because he placed
an order for a silk piece.
But what images
should I weave now?
His poem seems fathomless.
Evening falls,
the breeze rustles.
Autumn sun lingers sadly
over dreams.
My heart is suddenly stirred.
Seeing the fire, the lotus,
I miss her.
Far and away from home
I long for someone
at horizon’s end.
O cherished, whom I love.
Remember you not my
heartfelt adieu of yore?
O Sen!
Who’s calling me?
It sounds like Sấm’s voice.
It’s me.
Oh God! It’s you, Sấm!
Sen, my dear!
Where are you going now?
Sen, I’ve thoroughly
considered it.
I must leave to find for us
a new life.
Are you going
to leave the village?
And our village will
make drums no more?
O Sen,
I’m not a lazy person.
My hands have hardened,
yet I’m unable to earn
a living or
build a thatched hut.
Sometimes, I want to
call out loud to Heaven.
How unjust
this world really is!
O Sấm,
how come our lives
are so miserable?
It’s a simple happiness,
yet we’re unable to
realize it our whole lives.
Go with me, dear!
No. I can’t.
My mother is ill.
I must stay to earn money
by weaving
to take care of her.
That means
I have to go alone?
Sấm!
No, Sen!
Sấm!
We’ve known each other
since the time
we tended buffaloes
and gathered grass.
We still have a hard life
and are committed to our
professions till today.
How heart-rending!
What causes our vow and
dream to be unfulfilled?
I know you pity
my hard life, because of
which our love of old
isn’t realized.
You reserve for me
such devotion, yet
my heart is so divided.
What else can I say now?
O Sen, though happiness
is not realized or though
severed from its root,
the lotus blossom
still lingers on.
Sấm!
I’m leaving, knowing not
my return day.
O love, know you not
my pain in separation?
I’m not an unfaithful person.
I’ve always loved you
wholeheartedly
without consideration
of richness or poverty.
Suddenly,
a merciless storm
twists our fate
and shatters our bond.
My heart is tangled
with a hundred cares.
Who causes
the woe of parting?
Who took my many days
and nights of hard labor?
Such an ungrateful job,
I want to leave it for good!
What is there
to regret about?
Our pains we cannot
share with each other.
Now you depart,
knowing not
the day of return.
Sen, my dear!
O Sấm!
Sen!
Sấm!
Greetings, Auntie.
Mom!
O Sấm,
where are you going?
Auntie, I came to talk
to you and Sen
for the last time, then...
Son, are you really going
to leave our village?
Auntie!
Sấm, I already knew
about you and Sen.
But being powerless
in society, we must
swallow the bitterness.
Don’t think too much,
Auntie.
How couldn’t I?
I still remember
every detail.
You carried my
ill husband on your back
to cross the high tide
to find the doctor.
That favor,
I can never forget
for the rest of my life.
Oh, no, please stand up,
Auntie!
If this world
weren’t so unkind,
my children would have
joined in marriage.
And I would feel peace
at heart.
Auntie!
Mother!
O Sấm! O Sen!
O children! (Mother!)
Ill-fated, my daughter
must lead a lonely life.
What causes you
to be companionless?
Who causes my children
to be separated?
(Mother!)
Auntie!
Where are you guys?
Stand out here.
Let me go in first
to take a look.
O Sen,
what should we do now?
O Mom!
O Auntie, what to do now?
O Sấm!
O Sấm!
Hide from him for now,
son.
Hide away for now!
Yes. I’m leaving now,
Auntie. I’m leaving, dear.
Just for a while, son.
Greetings, Elder.
Please, sir.
My bow to you, sir.
Greetings, Sen.
It’s cool today, so I come
to visit your mother.
How much
do they still owe me?
You owe my master
5 bushels and 4 pecks.
5 bushels, 4 pecks.
How many bushels
are there in total?
We’re still adding up.
Adding what, you fools!
Just count
with the string here.
All right, count it!
O Village Chief!
Give Mrs. Sen
one end to hold.
Yes.
No. Mr. Village Chief!
Here, hold it.
Respected sir,
it’s 13 bushels
and 8 pecks.
Oh God!
How come it’s that many,
dear?
Take 13 bushels and
8 pecks home for me.
Yes.
Sir, I beg you.
O Mom!
Mr. Village Chief!
O Mr. Village Chief!
A thousand bows to you,
please give us a few more...
Why should I?
No deferment!
It’s today! It’s right now!
Right now!
I beg you, sir.
All right, let’s do this.
If you agree
to marry Sen to me,
I’ll forgive all this debt.
No. No.
O people!
Woe to Mr. Village Chief!
No. I won’t marry you.
You guys! Lift me up.
(Yes.)
Ouch! How could I
be so foolish?
So foolish!
I almost strangled
myself to death.
That was indeed stupidity!
Why did you say
I’m stupid?
Strangling yourself
is dumb.
That’s right.
But what am I to do now
anyway?
You guys!
I’ve thought of a way now.
You have?
Take Sen home right now
to be my wife.
I beg you, sir!
Please give us some time.
Why should I?
Are you planning
to trick me?
Mr. Village Chief!
A hundred bows to you, sir.
If after a lunar phase
and we cannot
pay off our debt,
then we’ll accept it.
I’m moved hearing
what you just said.
All right!
After one lunar phase,
I’ll come to take Sen
back as my second wife.
Today’s
Enlightening Entertainment
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Malay,
Mongolian, 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
“The King Who Plowed”
is based on
an Aulacese legend,
praising the virtues
of a wise king
who loved his people
and encouraged them to
build lives of prosperity
and happiness with their
own hands and minds.
At the same time,
it extols the beauty
of the country’s
traditional professions.
We now invite you
to enjoy the conclusion of
the chèo traditional opera
“The King Who Plowed,”
written by
playwright Bùi Vũ Minh,
with performances
by Thanh Tú as King,
Trang Nhung as Hương Sen,
Mạnh Hùng as Sấm,
Mạnh Thắng
as Attendant Nhỡ,
Bích Việt as Miss Mai,
Tuyết Lan
as Hương Sen’s mother,
Quang Sáng
as Village Mayor Cửu,
Duy Khương
as Village Chief Quých,
and other artists.
The King traveled
incognito to learn more
about his people and
their living conditions.
His Majesty arrived
in a village well-known
for its skills in making
drums, farming, and
weaving plant-based silk.
Due to flood-induced
crop losses, villagers
had to borrow money
from the Village Chief
with a high interest.
Sấm and Sen were
a talented couple.
The best drum in
the village made by Sấm
to offer to the King
and the beautiful
silk woven by Sen
were all confiscated
by the Village Chief
in lieu of payment
for their debts.
Faced with this
oppressive circumstance,
Sấm decided to leave
to earn a living
in another place.
Sen stayed back
in the village to care
for her elderly mother,
but was forced
by the Village Chief
to become his concubine.
Thank you for
watching today’s
Enlightening Entertainment.
Coming up is
Words of Wisdom.
Please tune in on
Supreme Master
Television
next Thursday for the
Aulacese film entitled
“ATiger that Leaves
the Mountain Faces
Disadvantage”
by the Venerable
Thích Chân Tính.
So long for now.
Supreme Master Ching Hai
caringly sent gifts
to the artists
and professionals who
contributed to the opera
“The King Who Plowed,”
broadcast on
Supreme Master Television.
They shared their
thoughts and expressed
gratitude toward Master.
We sincerely thank
the playwrights,
directors, artists
and professionals who
contributed your talents
and efforts to bring
about valuable chèo
traditional operas.
Thank you
for your endeavors
to preserve chèo,
a performing art
in Aulacese
traditional culture.
We wish you and your
families all the goodness,
upliftment,
and happiness in life.
O God!
O Mom, I will not marry
that cruel person.
What should we do now,
child?
I’ve already
got the money
to pay off the debt, Mom.
You have money? (Yes.)
Where is it from?
A few days ago,
in the market, I sold
a man a silk piece
and he placed an order
for another one.
Why didn’t you tell me
to use this money
to pay off our debt?
This money
is for your medicine.
That’s what I promised
the silk buyer.
And for the money
to pay off the debt,
I rely on the upcoming
silk piece.
So how did he want it done?
Will you be able to make it?
I’m not sure.
But I will have to do it,
Mom.
Oh, the lotus flowers,
the specks of flames.
It flickers like a flame
It stirs like
a green young breeze
It reflects magnificent,
sacred mountains
It lifts the sky high.
That’s right! I’ve got it,
Mom.
I already know what to do.
You’ve got it now?
Yes. Please call
my friends over to help
me weave. O Mom!
I’ll help you.
O children! (Yes.)
Come to give
my Sen a hand. (Yes.)
Here in this silk piece are
myriad bright flowers.
A colorful and beautiful
piece of silk.
Strong threads weave
deep love.
Let’s quickly embroider
the leaves and flowers.
My hands draw and
weave a silk piece
of the rural village.
Emerald silk evokes
emerald rippling water.
Egrets tilt their wings
in the sunlight.
My hands weave colors
and images.
Human love is as
beautiful as a painting.
O Nhỡ, that vast field
is without a single
rice plant or mulberry.
No wonder
my people are starving.
It’s only by coming here
that I find my people
still suffer greatly.
Like the case of Sấm:
Just because he had
no money to buy wood,
his precious drum
ended up
in other people’s hands.
Alas!
Such a talented man
to live with debt
for his whole life!
Your Majesty,
you have to take care of
national matters.
Why concern yourself
with the rice paddies?
I was originally from
a humble background
and an orphan
since my childhood.
I’ve achieved
great accomplishments
in life now.
Though sitting on high,
my heart is still
with the fields.
I long for the sunset
with rising smoke
from the thatched roof,
egrets flying
at the far horizon,
and moonlit nights
with cool breeze
and a carefree heart.
I long to listen
to tender songs
that express affection.
Whose shadow is falling?
Melodious is the sound
of the flowing stream.
Green prairie stretches
to the open horizon.
Lo, a nation embroidered
with flowery brocade!
I walk on lush mountains.
Mountains are deep
green, the moon bright.
It’s like a fairy grotto
with drifting clouds
and swirling wind.
What kind of wind it is
that blows into my heart?
I find happiness
in dreams and hopes.
A thousand songs exalt
love for the country.
People live in comfort
and peace.
Nhỡ! How long has it been
since we left home?
Your Majesty,
just one more day
to make it fifty days.
Really?
Do you remember, Nhỡ?
In the market that day,
I promised Sen that
I would return in 10 days
to pick up the silk.
I’ve failed
to keep my promise.
No wonder I feel restless
like sitting on fire.
Yes, I also feel like
a blazing fire.
Let’s sit here
to rest for now.
O Nhỡ! Though occupied
with national affairs,
I somehow long for
a white egret, a person.
Autumn comes
with delicate sunlight.
Whenever I remember,
my heart brims with love.
Affection and longing
fill my soul.
I know whom
you are missing.
I too miss Mai
at that far away place.
As an ordinary man,
marriage relies on my luck.
If you pine for Miss Sen,
all you need is
to send a palanquin
to bring her home.
Who wouldn’t feel elated
to be married to a King?
Why bother to miss her?
What you said
also makes sense.
Yet that’s not love
but rather relying on
power to force a woman
to be your concubine.
For Hương Sen,
I feel different.
I love her
for her skillful hands.
It’s very difficult!
That’s what you think.
How do you know
she loves you
for your eyes, nose,
hands, legs or your heart?
People probably love you
for your glittering throne.
Your words have
awakened me!
But, a king isn’t allowed
to fall in love?
Love as you wish,
but make it uncomplicated
somewhat.
Just go to her and ask once.
If she nods her head,
we’ll go back
to prepare the palanquin
and canopy.
If she shakes her head,
just forget it quickly.
Exactly! I’ll go back today.
But,
don’t you remember?
(Yes.)
I still have an important
job to take care of.
Tonight, I must enter
the Mayor’s residence.
I want to know
his real character
so as not to make
a wrong judgment.
There may be some
goodness in him still.
A person who craves
for bribery
can’t possibly be good.
Everyone! (Yes.)
Wait for me here!
Let me and Nhỡ
enter the Mayor’s home.
We can’t do that.
Why not?
Your Majesty,
to prevent any mishap,
we dare not stay half a step
away from you.
That’s right.
There seems
to be someone.
Be quiet!
Stand hidden in there
to see what’s going on.
O Sấm,
I can’t go with you.
My mother is ill.
I must stay to earn money
by weaving
to take care of her.
O Sen, though happiness
is not realized or though
severed from its root,
the lotus blossom
still lingers on.
O Sấm,
there’s no other way.
Swallow this disgrace.
That’s right!
All the miseries
of the common folks
are brought about
by the village’s
corrupted officials.
There’s no doubt about it!
Tonight, I’m going to
interrogate the Mayor.
Catch him alive for me.
Don’t be wordy!
Catch me if you can.
My turn now!
Go ahead, please!
My God!
It looks like Sấm!
That’s right! It’s Sấm.
O Sấm, don’t you
recognize me?
Yes. You’re the one
who offered to buy
my drum the other day.
Correct! I’m the one who
offered to buy the drum
and I’m also
the king of this land.
You don’t kneel down
to ask for pardon and
still stand there staring?
Your Majesty!
You’re so gentle,
yet your martial art skill
is unsurpassed.
I’m at fault for not
recognizing Your Majesty.
Stand up, Sấm!
Let me ask you.
Why did you
climb the wall into
people’s house at night?
Your Majesty, only
with your permission
shall I speak about it.
Go ahead!
Your Majesty, I find that
all my miseries are due to
the corrupted officials
in the village.
So I decided to take revenge,
starting with the Mayor.
And turn yourself
into criminal.
Your Majesty,
do I have other choices?
The unlawful way
never helps one
escape poverty anyhow.
Your Majesty,
it wouldn’t help
if I act alone,
but I will call upon
the miserable people
to rise up
and rob from the rich
to share with the poor
and bring justice to all.
Sure, we must bring
justice to all,
but that is not your job.
Your job is to continue
making the drums.
The drums that motivate
people to defend
their country when
there’s a risk of invasion.
Drums that voice
the injustice when
people have grievances.
Drums that resound
joyfully at festivals
commencing
a plowing season.
Do you understand
what I meant?
Your Majesty,
as an empty-handed
homeless person, how
can I possibly do that?
O Sấm, I know that
you’re not only
a drummaker
but also a skilled farmer.
But let me ask you.
Why is that field left fallow?
Why isn’t a farmer
fond of the rice field?
Your Majesty,
the land is precious
because it nourishes people,
how can we
let it go wasted?
But we’d rather
abandon the fields than
let corrupt officials
exploit our labor.
So it all boils down
to the corrupt officials?
Your Majesty,
it’s exactly so.
The corrupt officials,
I’ll punish them.
But let me ask you.
If I come here
to till the land,
will you compete
with me in plowing?
Your Majesty,
to compete with you
in plowing?
This person,
born in a farming place,
has been used to farming
for hire since childhood.
That vast paddy took me
and other young men
only one morning
to complete plowing.
Wonderful!
I’ll be back here
in 10 days
to hold a plowing contest
with Sấm.
I’m grateful
to Your Majesty.
Nhỡ! (Yes.)
And for this gold,
take it to recruit
all the talented people
to continue the making
of the precious drums.
Yes. Your Majesty!
Brother Village Chief,
how is the practice
of your village’s
singing group
to perform for the King
on the drum-offering day?
Answer him!
Your Honorable,
they’re doing better now.
How about the
performers’ appearance?
Speak!
Your Honorable,
they’re still pretty rugged.
It’s hard
to recruit dancers
and singers nowadays.
Due to poverty,
no one dare go anywhere.
Just show it to me,
let me review it. (Yes.)
Chief!
An official shouldn’t
lead a debauched life.
It spoils you.
No need to teach me.
Help me up!
Where are the performers?
Let them in.
Let them in.
Yes. Come in!
Left! Right! Stop!
Let them perform.
Now? (Yes.)
Dance and sing as well.
Yes.
Raising the cup,
we welcome
a noble gentleman.
Our affection
is fully reserved
for the precious guest.
This cup is for
a long-lasting friendship.
Hurry up! Goodness!
Help him up!
Ouch! How come
I’m so miserable!
They sing
so enthusiastically.
But Chief... (Yes.)
The dance movements
are not uniform. (Yes.)
A dance should be
uniformly performed.
It doesn’t look good
when one goes this way,
the other that way.
Our village girls aren’t
good dancers. (No.)
That girl!
What is her name?
Look! He asked
what’s your name.
What’s your name?
Your Honorable,
it’s her first time
to serve you,
so she’s still nervous.
What’s there
to be afraid of?
I don’t eat you right away
that you should be fearful.
But Chief,
since we’re at home,
just address me
as nephew for closeness.
Don’t call me
Honorable this,
Honorable that. (Yes.)
So what’s her name?
Miss! He asked
what’s your name.
Your Honorable,
my name is Mai.
What?
Her name is Mai
Her name is ...
Mai.
Mai? (Yes.)
How come Mai
[meaning apricot flower]
blooms in midsummer?
There is no Sen [lotus]?
Where is Sen?
Which Sen is it?
I heard that there’
a eye-pleasing Sen [lotus]
flower in your village.
You didn’t bring her here.
Your Honorable,
that girl is dark-skinned
and ailing right now.
She’s ill?
What illness is it?
You hide her to keep her
for yourself, right?
There is only Mai
[apricot] in midsummer,
no Sen [lotus].
If you can’t use her,
I’ll take her home.
Girls! Go home!
Go home!
Wait! What do you mean
going home? Stay here.
All right.
O Mai! Come here to me.
I love you.
Come here.
Bring yourself here.
Don’t be afraid!
I’m not eating you that
you should be scared.
Come. Sit here.
Bring yourself here.
O Mai!
Now let me set the tune
for you to sing.
Drum!
Yes.
Lute!
Yes.
Brother Xã! (Yes.)
I’m going to beat
the drum,
and you play the lute.
(Yes.)
Goodness!
How can one sing
with that slow beat?
Is it too slow?
Yes. This chèo company
only costs money.
Which chèo company
doesn’t cost money to hire?
All right. O Mai!
Apricot flower
of the summer.
Come to me.
Sit down here, dear.
Now I’ll set the tune,
all right?
Why do you keep
spinning like that?
A mandarin must spin
when he sings.
Then it should be called
“song spinner,”
not songstress.
Song spinner
or songstress is fine.
But Chief... (Yes.)
Whatever it is, it should
stay within this house,
all right? (Yes.)
Don’t be foolish to bring
it to the province.
O Mai, sit down here.
Now it’s your turn
to sing, dear.
Your Honorable,
please let me
sing different lyrics.
Sing any lyrics you wish.
What causes our people
to be miserable?
Pitiful is the unfortunate
people who fall into
a destitute situation.
What causes hunger
and poverty?
Wait!
How come your singing
sounds like mourning?
He hasn’t died yet.
Why are you weeping?
Chief! (Yes.)
What are you talking about?
All right,
you and your people
have done your job.
You all can leave now.
Come on!
Let me have fun with you.
What?
Let me join you
to have fun.
How can it be?
This thing can’t be shared.
Leave!
Let’s go back.
Go!
I’m going back.
Let’s go.
It’s a very good song,
but so sad. How come?
Oh, here comes
the wealthy visitor!
Come in!
I was hoping to see you.
Sit down here.
Mr. Mayor! (What?)
I heard that our village
is preparing to offer
a precious drum
to the King.
Is that right?
Correct! I’m reviewing
the performance
for the King to see.
Miss Mai!
O Nhỡ!
Nhỡ! So this is... (Yes.)
It’s such a lovely song,
but how come your
singing sounds so dismal?
O noble man,
there is nothing happy
to sing about.
Just sing,
you’ll feel happy, Mai.
There are many great
folk songs in our land.
They uplift people’s
spirit, making this life
more beautiful.
We should preserve
that valuable asset.
Come on, Nhỡ! (Yes.)
Come out to sing
with Miss Mai.
There is a blue cloud
in the sky,
a white horse running
around Heaven’s gate.
Oh, true are your love
and mine!
We wish to join
in a happy marriage.
Enough!
No more singing!
Guards!
Tie this man up for me!
His Majesty has arrived!
The King? Where is he?
O God!
Everyone,
hear my indictment
of the Mayor!
Yes.
Mayor! (Yes.)
You’ve slighted
the country’s law,
not taking care of
the innocent people.
You disgrace them
and covet bribery.
I hereby strip off
your title and have you
sent to the dark cell.
Execute the order.
Yes.
I bow to Your Majesty
a thousand times to plead
for reconsideration.
Your Majesty,
O heavenly light,
please reexamine my case.
Take him away.
The silk is woven with
criss-crossed threads,
just like my heart
with a thousand knots.
The noble man will
take away this silk piece,
but he can’t take away
Sấm’s image.
A tender figure
in tattered clothes,
on a small lane
by the gentle river
in the evening.
How I long for him
to come back to me
though life is bitter here!
The bamboo hedge
and water well still
remember our vow.
Sen, my child!
Mother!
O my child, the day
you finish the silk piece
is the day Chief Quých
will come to demand
his debt payment.
Why hasn’t the nobleman
come with money
for your silk?
Mom,
please don’t worry.
He will surely come.
I only worry
that you believe
in a vague promise
and keep waiting.
Mom!
Now where do we
find the money
to pay off the debt?
O Mom, please be at ease.
He will come
sooner or later.
But on your father’s
death anniversary,
the altar is without incense.
I’ll light up an incense
from my sincere heart
in his memory.
I think Dad will not
reproach us.
He understands
and he will love us who
suffer a lot in this world.
No, dear! Chief Quých
is about to come over
to collect his debt.
Where can we hide?
Or you will accept...
No. O Mom!
Must a water fern entrust
its life in cruel hands?
I’d rather die an early
death than do that.
O God! You sound so
thoughtlessly reckless.
Mom!
What for do I live on
if you die?
O husband,
if your spirit is sacred,
come back to take me
with you.
Mom!
My child’s pitiful fate
rends my heart.
O Mom!
“Father’s favor
is as high as
the tallest mountain.
Mother’s kindness
is like the water flowing
from the source.”
You’re now a lonely shadow.
O Mom, you’re now
like the waning moon!
I’m now like
the waning moon,
clouded in a chilly night.
O child, I’m miserable
and sorrowful.
Mom!
O child!
What are we to do now?
Greetings, Elder!
Greetings, Miss Sen.
I forget.
Greetings, young mistress.
What are you people
flocking here for?
Respected Elder,
my master has to go
to bring the King here
to plow the field.
So he told us to bring
the wedding gifts here
in advance.
This is the offering
to your ancestors
and your late husband.
And this is the wedding
dress for Miss Sen,
young mistress.
You people, get out of here!
O child!
Here’s the scarf!
Here’s the dress!
O child!
This girl is insolent!
Guard, where are you?
(Yes.)
If she’s like that, no need
for any wedding ritual.
Tie her up for me!
Take her home
right away. (Yes.)
O Mom!
Stop it! O Auntie! Sen!
Sấm!
O Sấm! O son!
Don’t worry, Auntie.
They won’t be able
to do anything to us!
Mom!
So, it’s Sấm!
A frog wants to jump up
the ancestors’ altar.
If you want to die,
I will please you.
Guard? (Yes.)
Tie him up!
Beat him dead for me.
(Yes.)
No!
His Majesty has arrived!
Guards!
Yes.
It’s no King!
It’s just the visitor
who bought my drum
the other day.
Chief Quých,
you have eyes, but
you’re like a blind man.
Look here!
O God!
A thousand bows
to Your Majesty!
Please judge me
with heavenly light,
Your Majesty.
I’m so misunderstood!
Village Chief Quých!
(Yes.)
It’s you who
committed the crime.
You rely on your title to
oppress innocent people.
Not only did you
not take care of people,
you’ve bled them dry.
You robbed Sấm
of his drum.
Now you even want
to rob him of Miss Sen.
Your offense
is unforgivable!
You two men! (Yes.)
Take him away!
O God!
It’s unjust for me.
O boys!
Tie me gently
or it will hurt me.
How miserable !
Those two men! (Yes.)
Go to Chief Quých’s
residence to bring the
drum back for the village.
(Yes.)
Move!
Sấm! (Yes.)
I know now the story
between you and Miss Sen.
I believe that you will
keep your promise to me.
Hương Sen!
O child!
Yes.
Did you finish the silk piece
I asked of you?
I’ve finished it
and wish to present it
to Your Majesty.
Please bring it out here.
Very beautiful!
It’s a vast pond of lotuses.
The lotuses carry
red flaming buds,
lotuses in the image
of ripening hearts.
In the lofty breeze,
the scent of lotus flowers
pervades.
Your Majesty, that is the
meaning of your poem.
Hương Sen, have you
given this silk a name?
Why this humble subject?
Shouldn’t it be
Your Majesty
to give it a name?
Oh, yes. Lotus Scent!
Only the lotus scent
can lift the sky.
I will name this silk piece
“Lotus Scent.”
Do you agree?
Yes. I’m grateful
to Your Majesty.
You may stand up.
I believe that this silk piece
can empower
the most skilled plowman
in the contest.
Now, Nhỡ! (Yes.)
Go and announce
that the King is selecting
skilled plowmen.
Order obeyed.
Attention, everyone!
Today, the King comes
to open a plowing contest.
His Majesty now
removes his royal mantle
and enters the field.
Come join
the merry festival,
O strong young men
and all!
Attention, everyone!
Listen, everyone! (Yes.)
I return here this time to
open a plowing contest,
to remind us
of our ancestors’ land
reclaiming tradition.
Long live the King!
Before becoming a king,
I was a farmer myself.
I still remember
the saying “land is more
precious than gold.”
People must be prosperous
for the country
to develop and society
to be strong.
Now, anyone who wants
to compete with me,
stand in line.
Go out, brother Sấm!
Our village men
would like to join
the plowing contest.
Great!
Try harder,
O brother Sấm!
Beat the drum to start
the plowing contest!
Happy land
reclaiming day!
Happy nation
expanding day.
As more land is cultivated,
the nation is stronger and
people more prosperous.
Plow it! Till it!
O the King who plowed!
The King transferred
the land to the villagers
to plow.
We held a plowing
contest to compete
with the King.
Try harder, brother Sấm!
The plow is broken!
The King’s plow
has broken!
O God! Why let
your plow go so deep,
Your Majesty?
It’s broken now!
O Nhỡ,
it’s Heaven’s will then.
All right, go announce
to everyone that
Sấm has won the contest.
Mr. Sấm is the winner.
How wonderful!
The contest is over.
Mr. Sấm
has won this contest.
Respected people! (Yes.)
I want our people
to have a land reclaiming
festival every spring.
Long live the King!
Sấm! Hương Sen!
Come here.
The land I just plowed,
I offer to you both
as a wedding gift.
Do love each other
for the rest of your lives.
Villagers beat the drum
and raised the flags.
They followed the King
to work on the land,
bringing comfort to all.
O the King who plowed!
The King plowed
to cultivate the land.
The King plowed
to develop the country.
The King who plowed.
Villagers beat the drum
and raised the flags.
They followed the King
to work on the land,
bringing comfort to all.
O the King who plowed!
The King plowed
to cultivate the land.
The King plowed
to develop the country.
O the King who plowed!
Team leader of the Chèo
Traditional Opera Troupe
of Hà Nam Province,
Ms. Lương Duyên:
This is an honor
and pride for
Hà Nam Province,
for the Chèo Traditional
Opera Troupe in general,
and for all writers
and artists of Hà Nam
Province in particular.
We will remember
these New Year gifts
and we are very grateful
for Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
compassionate heart
as well as her love
for the arts,
for all writers and artists,
which very much
motivates and
encourages writers
and artists of
Hà Nam Province.
And via Supreme Master
Television
which broadcasts to
all countries in the world,
we’d like to say:
We love everyone
and also very much
desire peace.
“The King Who Plowed”
was a true story.
Now, every year,
Hà Nam Province
hosts the King’s
Plowing Festival on the
6th and 7th of January,
to illustrate the merit
of a sage king.
On the occasion
of the Lunar New Year,
the Hà Nam Chèo
Traditional Opera
Troupe has a gift,
a product of our own work,
a VCD about
“Ðọi Mountain and
Châu River,” which
includes chèo singing,
incantation music, and
folk songs from Hà Nam.
We respectfully present
this gift to
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
Playwright Bùi Vũ Minh:
This is really touching!
I’d written that opera
a long time ago,
but your television
channel broadcasts it
overseas.
The story was during
springtime, almost
1,000 years ago.
King Lê wanted to launch
the sowing season,
so His Majesty
inaugurated the ceremony,
and the King himself
plowed the field.
I am grateful that
your channel is
promoting
Aulacese culture and
the best qualities of
the Aulacese people for
the world to understand.
Director Lê Hùng:
On behalf of the group
contributing to the opera
“The King Who Plowed,”
my greetings to
Supreme Master Ching Hai
and all viewers.
I think your broadcasting
of programs about
traditional arts is a very
beneficial endeavor
and ought to continue
to develope.
The peoples of the world
are all brothers
and sisters.
It’s due to
We are truly touched
to have our work aired
on the channel.
These works of art
will bring us together
and build strength so that
we can strive for
world peace and
prosperity for everyone,
and put an end to wars
and social ills.
We artists also hope
to contribute our part to
Supreme Master
Television toward
this noble purpose.
Those were words of
thanks to
Supreme Master Ching Hai
from performing artists
and other professionals
who contributed to opera
“The King Who Plowed”
that Supreme Master
Television
has had the opportunity
to present in the past.
Next week, we will share
more thoughts and
wishes from additional
artists in the genre of
chèo traditional opera.
Please be sure to tune in.