Preserving the art of Aday singing

At Po Thi Vong Sa Pagoda, commonly known as Hamlet 4 Pagoda, Xa Phien Commune, Can Tho City, there is a small stage built to preserve folk arts, including Aday singing art of the Khmer people.

The club operates on a stage set up in the temple grounds of Hamlet 4, Xa Phien Commune. Photo: QUOC HUNG

In 2021, the Aday singing art of the Khmer people in the South of Vietnam in Xa Phien commune was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to many documents, from the Prop-kay singing style, which means the male and female sides respond to each other, clapping their hands in rhythm and then singing back and forth, by the end of the 19th century, performers created more, developed new lyrics, and improvised in all situations and circumstances. People loved the singing style and the friendliness with the performers, so they named the creation from the Prop-kay singing style Aday singing.

In Xa Phien commune, Long My district, Hau Giang province (old), now Xa Phien commune, Can Tho city, Aday singing appeared very early, typically at Po Thi Vong Sa pagoda. To this day, whenever the fields are free, Mr. Danh Ky, Chairman of the Aday Singing Club, Hamlet 4, Xa Phien commune, Can Tho city, and the club members meet and practice at the pagoda, as a familiar routine.

According to many folk artists, Aday is often performed during festivals, gradually singing to entertain in family ceremonies or fun in phum, soc. Therefore, besides the popular songs often performed in ethnic rituals; there are also songs close to life such as encouraging people to unite, build cultural life... Depending on each context, traditional songs can be used or new lyrics can be written, or even inspiration can be improvised on the spot. Aday is not complicated or sophisticated, but requires the singer to be creative, quick to improvise and knowledgeable about life.

In the club, there are usually two singing pairs, with Mr. Danh Ky as the main male singer, and the female singers with him change. One of them is Ms. Thi Oanh, a worker, who has been with Aday since watching Mr. Danh Ky perform and then improvise and harmonize. Seeing her talent, Mr. Danh Ky invited her to join the club and gave her further guidance. Most recently, at the 2024 Ethnic Culture Festival organized by Hau Giang province (old), Mr. Danh Ky and Ms. Oanh and the club won the highest prize with the Aday singing performance.

A full orchestra accompanying Aday would have from 5 to 6 traditional instruments: the Dan Co, Dan Gao, Tam Thap Luc, bamboo flute, cymbal, hand drum. According to Danh Huyen's experience, the harder and more brittle the wood used to make the instrument, the louder, clearer and stronger the sound. He said that in the past, he and some of his brothers in the group tried to make their own musical instruments from nearby objects. Later, artisans made musical instruments to help the sound become better. But every time the instrument or drum had a problem, Danh Huyen tried to adjust and fix it himself. He confided: "In 2022, the club was given a set of musical instruments by the State, and I took on the task of preserving and taking care of them. We have to keep them carefully because the instruments are easily damaged! Especially the Khum (tam thap Luc). The strings are very easy to rust, and after 2-3 days of being exposed to rain, they will rust and break."

An interesting thing is that from the Aday Singing Club in Hamlet 4, Xa Phien Commune, as well as from many other folk culture clubs, the love for art has spread to the young generation at Hau Giang Ethnic Boarding School, Can Tho City, where there are over 200 Khmer ethnic students. At the school, there is a Folk Literature - Arts Club with 10 members and currently the students can stage and perform basic Khmer folk dances in the South. When asked about the opportunity to participate in this activity, Danh De Vi, class 12A1 of the school, said that his house is near the pagoda in Hamlet 4, Xa Phien and since he was little he has seen the uncles and aunts dance folk and sing Aday. As for Danh Thi Phung, class 12A2, she expressed her emotions when talking about traditional costumes, songs and dances. For her, it is a source of pride and a connection to her homeland.

Mr. Danh Ky added, "The State supports the preservation of Khmer culture. As for the Aday singing club and for me personally, I am always passionate about guiding the younger generations to understand and continue the national cultural identity."

ELEGANT

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/bao-ton-nghe-thuat-hat-aday-a195122.html