How has the character Bac Dau changed in 20 years of Tao Quan's broadcast?
Who came up with the idea of creating the character Bac Dau, who was initially a bit of a flirtatious, sour man 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 Beidou?
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 fate of each person from birth to death, determine their fate of poverty and wealth, good and 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 next to 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, Nam Tao Temple is located on Duoc Son Mountain, Bac Dau Temple is on Bac Dau Mountain, in Chi Linh Town, 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.The 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, later 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 programThe Kitchen Godsonce said: "At first, 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 decided that Bac Dau must be like this or like 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."
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.
In 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 well-groomed.
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 appeared 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-blond hair.
ArriveThe Kitchen GodsIn 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, and apply lipstick and powder for 4-5 hours. When the makeup was finished, everyone gathered around to compliment him on his beauty, but the male artist felt "exhausted". Therefore, he asked many times to change the role of Bac Dau but was not accepted.
"I told the director that I would still participate in Tao Quan but I would only play Tao, and when I finished my work I would leave. Standing on stage for 3 hours from start to finish and 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, creating a deep impression in the public's heart.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 programThe Kitchen Godshas not revealed the content or the artists who will participate. 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 commented to have a diverse acting style, with certain similarities to the role of Bac Dau that People's Artist Cong Ly successfully performed before.
Before this information, Thai Son said he was practicing for the program.Gala laughsstillThe Kitchen Godsbut he has not received any information. Thai Son also saidThe Kitchen GodsThis 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.What the audience suggested, I did not dare to think of. The audience loves and supports me, I am very grateful, 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 it."Thai Son expressed.
