Nguyen Phung Ky, a satirical artist with pure Nau qualities

Artist Nguyen Phung Ky is a "notorious" stage playwright in the South Central region. In Phu Yen , his name has emerged as a great author, because he participated in composing stage scripts and folk songs for most events and art performances in the province.

"Twins" at the age of 73

"For the past few decades, almost every month, people from this industry, that association, or that locality have asked me to write folk songs, short and long stage scripts. I honestly can't remember how many works there are. I mainly write scripts, compose folk plays, and especially write a lot of songs based on Bai Choi melodies," said artist Nguyen Phung Ky.

Besides his love for the stage, Nguyen Phung Ky is also a persistent satirical poet, appearing in many newspapers, radio stations, art programs... for the past several decades. His poems mock himself, his friends, his profession, criticize bad habits, vices, and illegalities... He humbly calls himself a "folk poet. Feeling life to express his feelings. Not seeking anything else".

Artist Nguyen Phung Ky

In 2024, at the age of 73, Nguyen Phung Ky released two "twin" books: Reflecting on the Habits of Life (a satirical collection of poems) and Memoirs of a Life Journey (a collection of poems). His poems are like sincere notes expressing and telling stories about the situations and paths he has taken.

In the preface to the poetry collection Memoirs of a Life Journey , he wrote: "I was born and raised in a family with a revolutionary tradition. In 1954, my father went to the regrouping camp, at that time I was only three years old, the family had many children, my mother had to endure many hardships, sufferings and exiles. As the years passed, my brothers and sisters and I gradually grew up, witnessed many cruel and bitter scenes of the country being lost and the family being destroyed. My brothers and sisters took turns participating in revolutionary work. In 1966, my brother Chin sacrificed himself, my sisters and mother were always imprisoned. When I grew up, I followed in my father's footsteps to join the revolution and experienced many bitter and sweet experiences, but it was very glorious. Recalling the journey I had gone through, I wrote these verses to let my children and grandchildren understand more about the life of our ancestors at that time...".

Artist Nguyen Phung Ky

However, readers still appreciate the simple yet talented spirit, pure Phu Yen spirit of Nguyen Phung Ky's pen in the satirical poem collection " Contemplating the habits of life" . His pen is straightforward in the face of things that are offensive to the eyes and ears:

Please do not be subjective in your authority.

Bribery is a good thing.

The bribe giver is an accomplice.

Also exposed in plain sight

(Consequence)

Receive clear disciplinary action

Yet he was still dignified and majestic.

Wrong, you are transferred.

Teaching traditional etiquette to life

The world sits and thinks it's funny

Painful witnessing the slander

(Painful)

He criticized the habit of drinking heavily:

Don't let debt get in the way of drinking.

Drunk and messy

Talking nonsense is inaudible

Walking and nodding off is unsightly.

(Double win)

Then he laughed at himself, secretly a bit sad and humorous:

I think I'm old

How much is the monthly pension?

Dare not secretly love mistress

Not enough money to spend, what to do?

(Poor thing)

Heavy satirical poetry

The history of Vietnamese literature has recorded many famous satirical poets such as Tu Xuong, Tu Mo, Nguyen Khoa Vy, Xich Dieu, Tho Ren, Nguyen Dinh, Si Giang, La Vong, Bua Danh, Tu Troc, Ha Thuong Nhan, Ca Teu, Trang Dop, Tu Keu, Cung Van, Tu Ngang, Huyen Thanh, Chinh Nghia, Bua Ta...

However, in recent years, satirical poetry has become less vibrant. The "stage" for satirical poetry on newspapers, radio, magazines... has gradually narrowed. Many newspapers have closed the "Satirical Poetry" section. Laughter clubs, laughing villages... which were once bustling, have now disappeared. The once-popular Laughter newspapers have also had to rearrange...

However, Nguyen Phung Ky did not let that be a problem. He still quietly and enthusiastically wrote satirical poems, performed them passionately in art programs, clubs, and even in tea and wine parties with friends... Since his retirement (2011), he has composed more vigorously and performed his poems more passionately and heartily.

Two poetry collections by Nguyen Phung Ky published by the Writers Association Publishing House in May 2024

It should also be added that, in addition to composing, Nguyen Phung Ky is also a famous performing artist. His voice is strong and resonant, his acting is sincere and simple, but reflects the talent of a man from the land of Nau. Therefore, every time he appears, the stage and forum are filled with hearty, deep, passionate laughter.

"I write to express my feelings, trying to contribute a voice and laughter to society. There are so many topics for me to write satirical poems. I will continue to devote my efforts to this genre of poetry," artist Phung Ky expressed.

Up to now, Nguyen Phung Ky has published the following poetry collections: Looking for the scent of flowers, Self-cultivation method, Memoirs of a stage in life, Pondering the habits of life . Along with hundreds of folk songs, he has written many works, stage scripts that have been staged and published in books: Voice of the forest calling for help, Love in the storm, Lost money and disability, Keeping the oath, Sacred forest on fire, The cry of the unjust souls, Le Thanh Phuong, Vong Co songs, The person who opened the land, Heroic female martyrs, Human love and evil spirits, Kieu Quoc Si, Mai Xuan Thuong, Le Trung Kien...

Artist Nguyen Phung Ky was born in 1951, in Phu Thu town, Tay Hoa district, Phu Yen. He is a member of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, a member of the Vietnam Journalists Association , and former Vice President of the Phu Yen Province Literature and Arts Association. He has won many awards for his writing.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguyen-phung-ky-nghe-si-trao-phung-rat-chat-nau-185240531100732263.htm