Music researcher Nguyen Quang Long confirmed that Meritorious Artist Hoang Trong Kha - who preserved the quintessence of literary singing - passed away at the age of 101, in Hanoi on February 14, the 2th day of Giap Thin Lunar New Year.
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| Meritorious Artist Hoang Trong Kha performing excerpts from "Van Cong Dong". (Document photo) |
Artist Hoang Trong Kha is considered a giant of the art of singing and literature, with a series of contributions in preserving this traditional form of musical ceremony.
Music researcher Nguyen Quang Long shared: "In the last days of 2023, Mr. Kha's health was weak, he could no longer play the piano, could not sing, and even had difficulty talking.
Yet, when talking about playing and singing, about his life associated with the wonderful sounds of singing and literature, he gradually became more alert and spoke more. Minh (artist Trinh Ngoc Minh - one of his students - PV) sang a few words and he immediately sang along, and then Minh let him sing on his own.
Nguyen Quang Long said that during his visits to Meritorious Artist Hoang Trong Kha, he often asked about playing, singing, and teaching the craft. The last time he asked for more materials.
“Mr. Kha said he used to have a lot of books. He still has them now, but many have disappeared. Uncle Phuc (Mr. Kha's son - PV) took a collection of books from the cabinet, brought them out, then chose a few to give to him. All books are written in Han Nom. He opened each book, probed each page, pointed to each word, read it, translated it, and explained it to us.
These are books that have been colored by time, some he collected, some he copied himself. The content of the books are ancient songs and worship texts," researcher Nguyen Quang Long recalled.
Meritorious Artist Hoang Trong Kha was born in 1923 in Hanoi into a family with a musical tradition. He started studying singing when he was 10 years old. He once recounted: "My father had a singing career, and it was instilled in me since I was still in my mother's womb. Growing up, he taught me Chinese characters and taught me how to sing and play music."
Five brothers in his family participated in a series of singing competitions in the inner city, causing great fame, and were dubbed the "Five Tigers" group.
Before 1946, his family had to evacuate to his hometown. Meeting the displaced Cai Luong theater troupe, he asked to join and then returned to Hanoi in 1951 to join the Golden Bell troupe. He stuck with Cai Luong until his retirement along with the ups and downs and changes of the times...
The Palace of Literature remains only in the memories and sad melodies of his generation. Although he was interrupted for a long time, the beauty of the culture of adoration is still intact in him, with the elegant temperament of the Trang An people, the delicate and refined way of writing words.
Artist Hoang Trong Kha once explained: Singing is a form of music born to serve the Four Palaces belief, a Mother Goddess worship belief that has long been deeply rooted in the spiritual life of Vietnamese residents. Through the ups and downs of history, singing literature has shown its ability to adapt to social changes.
In March 3, Hoang Trong Kha Palace of Literature was officially awarded the title of Folk Artist by the Folk Arts Association.
By December 12, when Hanoi City will hold a ceremony to award the title of People's Artisan, Meritorious Artisan in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the third time - 2022 to 2022 artisans at the Temple of Literature - National Palace. Tu Giam, Mr. Hoang Trong Kha is the oldest artisan in Hanoi to be awarded the Meritorious Artist award.
