Traditional Tuong artist Buu Khanh passed away at the age of 72

(NLDO) – Artist Buu Khanh has left many good roles for the traditional opera stage, his contributions are valuable.

Traditional Tuong artist Buu Khanh

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Khanh said that artist Buu Khanh, after returning to Hue for lung cancer treatment, breathed his last at 11:06 p.m. on November 16 (September 27 of the lunar calendar). He was 72 years old. The funeral was held in Hue.

"Artist Buu Khanh, real name Vo Buu Khanh - born in 1954, is the younger brother of the late Meritorious Artist Buu Truyen. After a period of treatment, he breathed his last. His passing leaves behind endless sorrow for the traditional theater community, colleagues and lovers of traditional art" - Meritorious Artist Ngoc Khanh said.

An artistic family – the root that nurtures talent

Artist Buu Khanh was born into a family with a tradition of singing – a lineage of artists who have kept the flame of reformed opera alive for generations. His older brother is the late Meritorious Artist Buu Truyen (husband of female artist Thanh The, father of the late Meritorious Artist Thanh Dung - PV), a talented artist who left a deep mark on the Southern traditional opera stage.

His younger siblings – artists My Phung and Buu An – also followed in their parents’ footsteps, becoming familiar faces in traditional arts. His father, musician Tam Chi, was famous for his musical ability and creativity in traditional opera.

His mother, the female artist Tam Ut, was a Tuong opera actress with a smooth and gentle singing style. From that origin, Buu Khanh grew up surrounded by the sound of drums, clappers, and the magnificent performances of the traditional Tuong stage.

The program "Mai Vang Nhan Ai" gave gifts to artist Buu Khanh in 2021

From Dong Au Minh To to big troupes

Artist Buu Khanh's persistent training journey was known when, at the age of 8, his parents sent him to study with teacher Minh To at the Dong Au Minh To troupe - a place that trained many generations of talented classical opera artists.

This is a strict artistic environment, where he was trained in every step, every way to enter the classroom, how to breathe, how to create shapes and express his inner self through his body - the " scientific " skills of classical opera.

At the age of 15, he followed his brother to perform at the Nam Thanh - Thu Ba and Muoi Vang troupes, taking on the second male roles - an important challenge to hone his skills.

After that, he returned to Hoa Xuan troupe and worked for a long time with Thanh Binh - Kim Mai troupe, before working at Huynh Long Traditional Opera Troupe after the country's reunification.

This was also the period when he truly developed his abilities, came into contact with many famous artists, and absorbed many styles to form his own unique performance style.

Artistic style combining body - dance - inner self

In the profession, artist Buu Khanh is considered to have a solid foundation in classical opera. He has absorbed the essence of singing, dancing, emphasizing, vibrating, and playing in the Southern style, and at the same time knows how to combine it with psychological depth so that the role is not only "beautiful in appearance" but also "touches the emotions".

Playing the role of a general: majestic - powerful - true to the style of ancient opera. He is most famous for his role as a general. The characteristics that make up his style include: The martial arts dances of the general roles are very solid, beautiful, and standard: moving according to the rules of "three stars", "four faces", each step is strong but does not lose its flexibility; The way he performs flexible dances: when holding a whip or a sword, he always keeps the whip's path "round and bright", the sword's path is decisive, showing skillful technique; The way he strokes the pheasant's feathers - typical of the roles of generals in opera: he does this movement gracefully, majestically, showing the character's spirit and bravery.

Mr. To Dinh Tuan - Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper - presented gifts from the "Mai Vang Nhan Ai" program to artist Buu Khanh in 2021

"Just a light stroke creates a spirit, showing that he understands the "imagery beauty" of traditional plays. Playing the role of a loyal minister - an old general: deep and emotional.

He is not only strong in martial arts, he is also successful with the roles of loyal and devoted old generals: His deep, clear, and coherent voice is suitable for the roles of expressing loyalty. His eyes and expression are always emphasized in the right places, showing integrity and steadfastness" - Meritorious Artist Ngoc Khanh said.

When he was young, he played the role of a second male lead – roles that were beautiful, emotional, and had inner feelings. This was also the period that helped him perfect his soft singing and acting skills, not just purely "fighting roles".

The Silent Artist of Huynh Long – the one who keeps the professional standards

Artist Buu Khanh always guides and supports the young generation of artists on the traditional theater stage.

On the stage of the Huynh Long Traditional Opera Troupe, artist Buu Khanh is one of the faces respected by the young generation. He devotedly instructs new actors, especially important techniques such as: how to create a shape when stepping onto the stage; how to maintain a long rhythm in ancient melodies; how to handle props; how to keep the face "in line with the role" and how to express emotions without breaking convention.

He lived quietly, without noise, but his contributions were lasting and very real.

Four years ago, the "Golden Apricot Flower" program initiated by the Lao Dong Newspaper with the support of Nam A Bank visited artist Buu Khanh in Binh Phuoc province.

During that visit, he emotionally expressed his happiness that his profession was still remembered, that older artists were still cared for by society. It was one of the last warm moments before he fell seriously ill.

He belongs to a rare generation of Southern traditional opera artists who still uphold the principles of the profession: discipline, sophistication, and loyalty to traditional performance forms.

In the context of traditional opera struggling to find new audiences, losing an artist who understands the "quintessence of movement" - from choreography, martial arts to staging techniques - is a great loss.

Saying goodbye to artist Buu Khanh, colleagues and audiences will forever remember his image in the pheasant feather crown, his singing voice imbued with the Southern classical opera, his leisurely yet powerful steps, and his devotion to his profession until the last moment of his life.

Farewell to artist Buu Khanh. A humble life but full of dedication. An artistic soul devoted to the stage lights. A quiet talent, but never forgotten in the hearts of those who love traditional opera.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nghe-si-tuong-co-buu-khanh-qua-doi-tho-72-tuoi-196251117102233132.htm