Artists of Kim Cuong Drama Troupe gathered on the death anniversary of People's Artist Bay Nam

(NLDO) – Although People's Artist Bay Nam passed away 21 years ago, for generations of artists of the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe, she is always in their hearts.

People's Artist Kim Cuong in the program of discussion and exhibition about People's Artist Bay Nam organized by the Theory and Criticism Board of Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association

On the morning of August 25, the house of People's Artist Kim Cuong was once again bustling with familiar footsteps. Artists of the Kim Cuong Drama Troupe, colleagues, students, and close friends gathered together to burn incense in memory of People's Artist Bay Nam on her death anniversary.

"Although Mother Bay Nam has passed away for 21 years, the memory of a stage icon still lives on in the hearts of many generations of artists and audiences. Especially our juniors" - artist Hong Diep confided.

Members of the Kim Cuong Drama gathered at the altar of People's Artist Bay Nam

For director Viet Phong, the foreign affairs officer who takes care of procedures, contacts performance venues and organizes the troupe's tours, said: "This day has become a beautiful annual tradition, on the anniversary of Mrs. Bay Nam's death, the artists return to their familiar home, like a big artistic family to reminisce about the memories of the person who discovered, preserved and elevated the Southern Cai Luong - Drama stage".

Bay Nam - The pioneer woman of reformed theater

Master, director Thanh Hiep and artist Nguyen Thi Tam with the portrait of the late People's Artist Bay Nam on her 21st death anniversary.

People's Artist Bay Nam, real name Le Thi Nam, was born on July 10, 1913 in Tien Giang in a family of 11 children. As the seventh child, she was affectionately called "Bay Nam". Her father, Mr. Le Cong, was a bridge engineer who loved literature. He named his 11 children after a heroic couplet: "Successful in Success, Phi Chi Nam Nhi, Bia Truyen Tac De". It was from this family that many famous artists of the time were born: Ba Danh, Nam Phi, Chin Bia, Muoi Truyen...

Bay Nam's artistic path began when she was only 14 years old with her first role on stage. At the age of 17, she officially started singing, and just two years later, at the age of 19, she shocked the art world by founding the Nam Hung theater troupe, becoming the first female troupe leader in the history of Cai Luong theater.

The Theory and Criticism Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association once organized a discussion and exhibition about People's Artist Bay Nam, directed by Master Thanh Hiep.

People's Artist Bay Nam dressed up as Mrs. Tu in the play "Durian Leaf" (photo: Thanh Hiep)

On this occasion, People's Artist Kim Cuong presented a portrait of People's Artist Bay Nam to prepare for the upcoming exhibition in a series of activities on Southern Drama organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association.

Seven Men "3 in 1": Artist, author, troupe leader

In addition to his responsibility as a pioneering artist, during his more than 70 years of dedication to the stage, People's Artist Bay Nam is considered by experts to be a talented artist and an outstanding manager, troupe leader, and scriptwriter.

She left a deep impression with two roles that became cultural and artistic phenomena when mentioning the role of a mother, which were: Mrs. Tu, mother of Miss Dieu in the play "Sardine Leaf" and the mentally ill mother in the play "Rose Pinned on the Shirt".

"Those are works that are both full of humanity and touch the hearts of millions of audiences. Not only an actress, my mother is also the first female scriptwriter in Saigon, with a series of works that were staged and entered the audience's memories such as: "Mother's Pain", "Vietnamese Woman", "Golden Sword of Red Blood", "Dieu Tam Xuan", "Tieu Anh Phung", "Phan Hau Cung"..." - People's Artist Kim Cuong proudly said about her mother.

From left to right: People's Artist Phung Ha, People's Artist Bay Nam and Artist Ba Xay

Artist Huynh Thanh Tra shared that the scripts of People's Artist Bay Nam not only affirmed the intelligence and talent of a woman ahead of her time, but also paved the way for many generations of female artists to enter the field of script writing, which was traditionally held by men.

People's Artist Bay Nam with lingering affection, everlasting legacy

Talking about People's Artist Bay Nam, the artists this morning emotionally recalled memories: her strictness but full of love when teaching the young artists; her determination when steering the troupe through the ups and downs of the stage; and the overflowing affection she had for her colleagues and audience.

People's Artist Kim Cuong emotionally shared: "My mother lived her life to the fullest with the stage, until her last breath she still told us to keep the profession, keep the audience. One of her wishes was to think of the poor but studious children of artists. That's why, for over 15 years, my family has maintained a scholarship fund named after People's Artist Bay Nam to give to disadvantaged children in the art world. That is the way for us to preserve and spread my mother's love and personality to the next generation."

People's Artist Bay Nam

Besides, although the Kim Cuong troupe has stopped performing, everyone is still present on holidays, the anniversary of People's Artist Bay Nam's death, and the birthday of People's Artist Kim Cuong. "Kim Cuong just took two artists Hong Diep and Kim Diep for eye surgery, and took artist Huynh Thanh Tra for a heart check-up. They always consider each other as family, whenever something happens, they always call Sister Hai" - director Viet Phong said.

Although she passed away in 2004, People's Artist Bay Nam remains a monument of Vietnamese theater. She not only left behind a huge artistic legacy but also a spirit of life, an immortal spiritual legacy: tireless dedication to art, love for colleagues, and the desire to create to the end.

People's Artist Bay Nam

"The anniversary of her death is also an opportunity for today's artists to reflect on themselves, to remember that: the stage is not only a profession, but also a great mission and love for people and life" - Artist Kieu Phuong Loan said.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nghe-si-doan-kich-kim-cuong-te-tuu-trong-ngay-gio-nsnd-bay-nam-196250825132108998.htm