How has the character Bac Dau changed in 20 years of Tao Quan on air?
Who came up with the idea of creating the character Bac Dau, who was initially a bit effeminate and sour-tempered, but later became more and more feminine, "half man, half woman"?
Previously, when mentioning Bac Dau, television audiences immediately thought of the image of "Co Dau" who is mean, spiteful and somewhat formidable, played by People's Artist Cong Ly in each Tao Quan program. However, there are many interesting points surrounding this character that few people know.
Who is Bac Dau?
In folklore, Bac Dau and Nam Tao are the heavenly officials who record the births and deaths of humans. Nam Tao records the births and Bac Dau records the deaths. Nam Tao is on the left (South) and Bac Dau is on the right (North) of the Jade Emperor. They record the destiny of each person from birth to death, determine their fate of being poor or rich, good or bad, and what life they will be reincarnated into after death. They also record the reincarnations of animals.
In the Four Palaces belief, Quan Nam Tao and Quan Bac Dau are not invited in the ritual of spirit mediumship, and there is no separate temple in the Four Palaces system. However, there are many temples and shrines that worship the statues of Quan Nam Tao and Quan Bac Dau alongside the Jade Emperor statue.
In the Tran Dynasty religion, there are temples to worship Quan Nam Tao and Quan Bac Dau. Both temples are located in the Kiep Bac relic site. According to the Hai Duong Tourism Information Portal, currently, Nam Tao temple is located on Duoc Son mountain, Bac Dau temple is on Bac Dau mountain, in Chi Linh town of Hai Duong province. These two temples were built during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400).
How has Bac Dau changed in the Tao Quan program?
Along with the Jade Emperor, Nam Tao and Bac Dau were included in the program.Kitchen God.However, if the first two characters have not changed much since the broadcast, the character Bac Dau has changed a lot.
Initially, Bac Dau appeared in the form of a man. However, as time went on, this character became more and more feminine, shrewish, mean and fond of beautifying himself. Therefore, this character was called "Miss Dau".
Sharing about the character Bac Dau, People's Artist Khai Hung - the father of the programTao Quanonce said: "Initially, Bac Dau was not the half-grandfather, half-grandmother type he is now. Because he felt that this role should be transformed to create more laughter and freshness, Cong Ly proposed the idea of building the character in that direction. Unexpectedly, the character created a good impression and "lived" until now.
In an interview, People's Artist Cong Ly also said:"The role of Bac Dau is created by me, no one has specified that Bac Dau must be like this or that. I think no one knows what Mr. Nam Tao looks like, what Bac Dau is like. Is Bac Dau Ms. Bac Dau or Mr. Bac Dau?
We decided that just with the thought of having two characters interact with each other, creating some kind of effect, but we didn't have any intention of doing anything else."
During 20 years of being with the programKitchen God,People's Artist Cong Ly impressed with his colorful and humorous transformations in the image of Bac Dau.
The first year, Bac Dau Co Ly wore a black suit, glasses, pierced ears and always held a nail file in her hand. At that time, Bac Dau's appearance was still quite masculine and not much taken care of.
However, Bac Dau's appearance has become more "feminine" over time, with investment in elaborate and beautiful costumes. Bac Dau is visibly prettier and also more flamboyant and graceful. Even inTao Quan 2017, Co Dau also appears with 3 different looks, bringing novelty and humor to the audience.
In 2009, Ms. Dau chose a curly hairstyle and heavier makeup. People's Artist Cong Ly's character had a change in costume color. This was the first year this character switched to wearing pink. In 2013, Ms. Dau had another transformation in appearance: a pink silk shirt with elaborate embroidery, and slightly curly flower-blonde hair.
ArriveTao QuanIn 2018, Bac Dau's costume was invested in a huge amount with a modernized green ao dai. Ms. Dau's headdress was also invested in a grand manner. Hair and makeup were done meticulously. In 2019, Bac Dau surprised everyone with her bald monk look. The reason was that Ms. Dau wanted to resign to study meditation...
People's Artist Cong Ly once shared that, to play the role of Bac Dau well, he had to wear a wig, eye makeup, draw eyebrows, put on lipstick and powder for 4-5 hours. When the makeup was done, everyone gathered around to compliment him on his beauty, but the male artist felt "dizzy". Therefore, he asked many times to change the role of Bac Dau but was not allowed.
"I told the director that I would still participate in Tao Quan but I would only play Tao. When I finished my work, I would leave. Standing on stage for 3 hours from beginning to end, whining like that would be very tiring.
In Tao Quan, every role is a role that the artist mainly creates. But clearly, being able to transform into a character without heavy makeup, I will not be distracted and strained, but will spend more creativity to think of valuable details for the role.People's Artist Cong Ly confided.
However, the role of Bac Dau has been associated with People's Artist Cong Ly, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of the public.Tao Quan 2023, Ms. Dau reappeared with a luxurious, gentle appearance and a high bun hairstyle. After a year away from the show due to health reasons, the appearance of People's Artist Cong Ly moved the audience and colleagues.
This year, the programTao QuanThe content and the participating artists have not yet been revealed. However, the information that artist Thai Son will replace People's Artist Cong Ly in the role of Bac Dau quickly attracted the attention of the audience. He is said to have a diverse acting style, with certain similarities to the role of Bac Dau, which was successfully performed by People's Artist Cong Ly before.
Before this information, Thai Son said he was practicing for the show.Gala LaughterstillTao QuanHe has not received any information yet. Thai Son also saidTao QuanThis is a program that not only he but many other artists also want to participate in.
"I believe that Tao Quan is a program that any comedian would want to participate in and I am no exception. Last year, I contributed a little to the Tao Quan program with the role of one of the five Thunder Gods. For me, that was luck.", he said.
Thai Son affirmed that he is grateful for the audience's favor, but it is difficult for anyone to replace People's Artist Cong Ly.I have never dared to think of what the audience suggested. I am very grateful for the love and support of the audience, but this is too much luck. With the Bac Dau brand that People's Artist Cong Ly has built over the years, I think it is difficult for anyone to replace him."Thai Son expressed.
