A Chinese opera troupe manager has revealed on how he and his wife were tragically sold into the Thai trade as children - before finding love together and rising through the ranks.
Thatchai Obtong, 52, was tragically sold as a slave for just £145 to the opera company in Bangkok after his mother fell on financially hard times due to a crippling gambling habit.
Mr Obtong was just seven years old when he was forced to work as a performer to entertain crowds.
Thatchai Obtong, 52, fell in love with his wife Sunee Obtong, 46, after they were tragically sold into the Thai trade as children - before rising through the ranks
One of the perfomances at the Sai Yong Hong Chinese Opera. Thatchai Obtong, 52, was tragically sold as a slave for just £145 to the opera company in Bangkok after his mother fell on financially hard times due to gambling
Backstage at one the performances at the opera. Mr Obtong didn't have much of an education when he joined the opera at such a young age
Mr Obtong fell in love with his wife Sunee Obtong, 46, who was also sold into the company as a child.
And after years of hard work mastering the ancient performance, Chinese-Thai born Thatchai rose through the ranks of the Sai Yong Hong Chinese Opera troupe from performer to manager.
Recalling the heart-wrenching day his mother sold him off, Mr Obtong said: 'She told me if I'm a good kid and stay with the Chinese opera, I will have a good future.
'I don't have much of an education since I joined the opera at a young age, so my job options are limited. This is all that I know.'
Mr Obtong fell in love with his wife Sunee Obtong, 46, who was also sold into the company as a child.
One of the performers at the opera house putting on makeup. After years of hard work mastering the ancient performance, Chinese-Thai born Thatchai rose through the ranks of the Sai Yong Hong Chinese Opera troupe from performer to manager
A performance on stage at the Sai Yong Hong Chinese Opera. The performance is a mix of martial arts, singing and dancing to traditional Chinese music
After raising two daughters with his performer wife Mr Obtong lives to preserve one of the world's oldest dramatic art forms - and insists he wouldn't have it any other way.
He said: 'I don't have the knowledge for another job, so it is what I will always do, but as long as there are Chinese temples in Thailand, there will be Opera.'
'People often turn to crime when they have few other options. I feel proud to work an honest job that I enjoy.'
The performance - a mix of martial arts, singing and dancing to traditional Chinese music - traces back to the seventh-century Tang Dynasty, making it one of the world's oldest of its kind.
After raising two daughters with his performer wife Mr Obtong lives to preserve one of the world's oldest dramatic art forms - and insists he wouldn't have it any other way
The audience watching a show. Mr Obtong was just seven years old when he was forced to work as a performer to entertain crowds
Fascinating photographs show performers - including the Obtong's daughters - applying layers of elaborate makeup and exquisite costumes backstage to transform into gods and goddesses from Chinese folklore.
Bangkok photographer Dax Ward, 38, said he was inspired to see all that Thatchai and Sunnee had overcome when he captured images at one of their shows earlier this month.
Dax, from Arkansas in the US but now working in Bangkok, said: 'Thatchai's story is truly inspiring.
Sunnee Obtong backstage doing her makeup who was sold to the opera troupe when she was just a child
Backstage at the performance at the Sai Yong Hong Chinese Opera. The art form traces back to the seventh-century Tang Dynasty, making it one of the world's oldest of its kind
'To be separated from his family and all that he knows at such a young age and still make such a success of his life is amazing.
'I got the sense that this happy couple were right where they wanted to be, which is all anybody can ask for in life, really.
'As well as keeping the tradition alive, he is helping to teach it to young disadvantaged youths to help them make a living.
'I have a lot of respect for Thatchai, there are not many people that could overcome such adversity.'
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/23/chinese-opera-manager-reveals-how-he-and-his-wife-were-both-sold-into-the-trade-as-as-children/
Main photo article A Chinese opera troupe manager has revealed on how he and his wife were tragically sold into the Thai trade as children – before finding love together and rising through the ranks.
Thatchai Obtong, 52, was tragically sold as a slave for just £145 to the opera company in Bangkok after his ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/12/23/13/7758050-6524711-Thatchai_Obtong_52_fell_in_love_with_his_wife_Sunee_Obtong_46_af-m-32_1545570462170.jpg
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий