Some scholars in HCM City have managed to translate 46 “second-to-none” Tuong (classical drama) plays into Vietnamese.
British Royal Library presented 46 Nom character-written plays to the old Saigon government in August 1, 1971. They have been consigned to oblivion in the library for years.
Second-to-none plays
These plays were composed by authors under the Nguyen dynasty, according to director of HCM City Library, Bui Xuan Duc.
After a collection of 10 books entitled Théâtre Annamite had been lost, British Royal Museum bought them at a bookshop in London in 1894. They were then divided into 29 books which were presented to the library under the old Saigon government.
“Alongside Tuong plays, there are also Buddhist stories and books of prayer. But not many have known them since then,” said Duc.
Tuong researcher Nguyen To Lan said the set of books is second to none. They include not only classical plays but ones that have never been performed.
Scholar Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan, who has devoted 30 years to these books, also agreed with what Lan said.
The uniqueness of these books is that they consist of features of Southern region, such as characters, personalities, and locations, Xuan added.
Popularize Tuong plays
Xuan have devoted her time to translate the plays into Vietnamese. Half of these plays have been translated for the past 10 years. Xuan worried if she will be healthy to translate the rest.
Duc also expressed his worry about the books. Not many people are now interested in Nom characters as well as literature written in Nom characters. Only 12 plays have been translated and published so far, said Duc.
“These Tuong plays are expected to be performed. More importantly, the quintessence of traditional culture will be widely popularized,” he added.
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