VietNamNet Bridge – A veteran cai luong (reform theatre) actor who dedicated all his life to the art died on Friday at his home in District 8. He was 82.

Fin: Veteran actor Van Nga. -- File Photo

He won special acclaim for his portrayal of To Dinh, a Chinese governor during the time Viet Nam was annexed by China, in the historical drama Tieng Trong Me Linh (The Drums of Me Linh) that deals with the epic struggle waged by the Vietnamese people for freedom.

Born Hoang Dinh Nga in the northern province of Bac Ninh in 1928, he moved with his parents to Sai Gon (now HCM City) at the age of 10.

His family settled next to the Thuan Thanh Theatre in District 1’s Da Kao Ward. He inherited the passion for the art from his parents, who took him frequently to the theatre to watch cai luong dramas.

Thanks to his large physique and martial skills he acquired from his father, he was recruited by the Tan Viet Ban Troupe, which specialised in action-packed dramas, when he was just 13.

Since then, he has played many martial art heroes requiring a lot of action onstage.

In Tieng trong Me Linh as To Dinh, he was pitted against national heroine Trung Trac, which was played by legendary actress Thanh Nga.

Nga skillfully used his facial expressions and well-calculated manoeuvres to depict the cold, cunning and ruthless nature of a governor trying to outwit Trac who led an uprising against the invaders.

He played the role several times even after his retirement, as late as just two years ago.

The veteran was also a cai luong mentor for students at the city’s Junior College of Performing Arts. He spent his last years at the Shelter for Retired Actors.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News