Commemorating the 180th anniversary of the birth of cultural celebrity Dao Tan (April 3, 1845

Commemorating the 180th anniversary of the birth of cultural celebrity Dao Tan (April 3, 1845 - April 3, 2025):

Dao Tan - A man who devoted all his heart and soul to the art of Tuong

Dao Tan was born on April 3, 1845 (nicknamed Chi Thuc, pen name Mong Mai) in Vinh Thanh village, Phuoc Loc commune, Tuy Phuoc district. Throughout his life, Dao Tan devoted all his heart and soul to the art of Tuong, leaving behind hundreds of classic and exemplary works for the Vietnamese Tuong stage... In his creative career, Dao Tan left behind a huge cultural treasure with dozens of Tuong plays and thousands of unique poems.

Dao Tan's altar at Dao Tan Cultural Celebrity Temple, in Vinh Thanh 1 village, Phuoc Loc commune (Tuy Phuoc district). Photo: NGOC NHUAN

As a child, Dao Tan studied with Mr. Nguyen Dieu, also known as Tu Tai Nhon An. Nguyen Dieu was a playwright, so Dao Tan was influenced by his teacher early on. In 1867 (Tu Duc 20), Dao Tan passed the Bachelor's exam, at that time he was only 22 years old. Four years later, he was promoted to the position of Inspector and joined the Poetry Board in Hue. In 1874, he was promoted to Editor, then Editor, and also the Governor of Quang Trach ( Quang Binh ), then promoted to Thua Chi, then to Thi Doc Noi Cac. In the 33rd year of Tu Duc (1880), Dao Tan was promoted to Thi Giang Hoc Si - Tham Ta Cac Vu. In 1881, he was promoted to Hong Lo Tu Khanh, leading the Thua Thien Governorate.

Portrait of Dao Tan. Photo: NGOC NHUAN

After Tu Duc died, Dao Tan resigned and returned to his hometown, so the court demoted him 4 ranks. In 1886, Dong Khanh ascended the throne and summoned Dao Tan to work as a Deputy of the Ministry of Justice. The following year, he was appointed Governor of Thua Thien and then Deputy of the Ministry of Finance (1888). In the first year of Thanh Thai (1889), Dao Tan was appointed Governor of An Tinh (Nghe An - Ha Tinh ), then Minister of Public Works (1894), Minister of Justice (1896). In 1898, Dao Tan was promoted to Associate Grand Scholar and became Governor of Nam Nghia (Quang Nam - Quang Nghia) and then became Governor of An Tinh for the second time. In 1902, Dao Tan returned to Hue and became Minister of Public Works again. In 1904, Dao Tan retired, at that time he was just 60 years old.

Portrait of Dao Tan and Han Nom documents related to Dao Tan are displayed at the traditional art room of Hat Boi (Provincial Traditional Art Theater). Photo: NGOC NHUAN

Throughout his entire writing career, Dao Tan left behind nearly 1,000 poems, words, essays and parallel sentences in the collections: “Mong Mai Ngam Thao”, “Mong Mai Thi Ton”, “Mong Mai Tu Luc ” and “Mong Mai Van Sao ”. But the most outstanding is still his career in Tuong with nearly 40 plays, including original, adapted and edited plays, of which the most prominent are: Tram Huong Cac, Dien Vo Dinh, Hoang Phi Ho qua Gioi Bai quan, Ho Sanh Dan, Co Thanh. In addition, Dao Tan is also the author of a book of theater theory called “ Hy Truong Tuy But”, which is a collection of Dao Tan’s writings and letters about the art of Tuong. Dao Tan also made great contributions in teaching many famous students to compose and perform Tuong plays in his hometown of Binh Dinh.

Temple of cultural celebrity Dao Tan, in Vinh Thanh 1 village, Phuoc Loc commune (Tuy Phuoc district). Photo: NGOC NHUAN

Binh Dinh is proud to be the birthplace of Dao Tan, proud to have contributed many famous and heroic people, contributing to the cultural tradition of Binh Dinh in particular, and the rich cultural identity of Vietnam in general. In recognition of his contributions, the State has honored Dao Tan as a "Cultural Celebrity" of the country.

Students visit Dao Tan at the traditional art room of Hat Boi (Provincial Traditional Art Theater). Photo: NGOC NHUAN

The 180th anniversary of the birth of Cultural Celebrity Dao Tan (April 3, 1845 - April 3, 2025) is an opportunity for us to continue to study and absorb more comprehensively and deeply the invaluable heritages that Dao Tan left for posterity, find ways to preserve and promote better and more effectively in the cause of innovation and development of the homeland and country, contributing to the cause of building Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable development of the country today and tomorrow. In the memory of the people of Binh Dinh in general and each Tuy Phuoc resident in particular, Dao Tan will forever be a source of pride, a shining example of virtue, talent and a shining star in the history of our country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

NGOC HIEN

Source: https://baobinhdinh.vn/viewer.aspx?macm=18&macmp=18&mabb=343745