Artisan Nguyen The, Chairman of Hue Folklore Association, took us to Toa Kham wharf. The water surface is calm, when the boat has just left the wharf, the pentatonic melodies echo on the river. There is a family of 4 lives with the art of Hue singing.
This family with a lifetime of singing Hue welcomed us warmly. They introduced each member who has been closely associated with Hue singing club, which will be 22 years since its establishment on August 8.
Mr. Vo Que, the narrator, said that in 1980, there was a boatman named Dai at this wharf. He engraved his name on the side of the boat the words "Do Anh Doi" - read as "His life". This is the first boat to experience the organization of Hue songs to serve tourists.
Gradually, Mr. Doi and many people developed Hue singing on the Perfume River into an indispensable cultural routine in the ancient capital. By 1983, Hue singing club was born.
Elite artist Kim Vang (right) and artist Chau Loan perform the scene "Mother Sut" on the Perfume River
According to Mr. Vo Que, with the smooth flow of the Perfume River, the sounds of Hue songs will hit the water and then "release" the boat. Therefore, Hue singing on the Perfume River is an art.
The above mentioned Hue family originated from the artist couple Ngoc Yen - Kim Oanh. The whole family - from sons and daughters to in-laws and grandchildren - is active in the field of Hue folk art. Particularly the eldest son - People's Artist Ngoc Binh - is considered as a precious talent of the Hue opera stage.
In 2000, Ngoc Binh tried his hand at expressing Uncle Ho's image through the play "Epic music and dance". This role has left a deep impression on audiences in many regions. Not only is he a talented actor, he is also the director of more than 100 plays of various genres, most notably Ca Hue.
This Hue family also has a daughter, artisan Sao Mai, great-grandson is musician Khanh "chou", son-in-law is artist Dinh Hung, and more than 15 great-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all participate in Hue singing. under the tutelage of Elite Artisan Kim Vang (Khanh's grandmother "voted").
Elite artist Kim Vang confided: “My parents have left a great legacy for their children and grandchildren, which is the art of Hue singing. Ca Hue was formed as a cultural flow and we will stick to this flow and pass it on to future generations to preserve and cherish.
Elite artisan Kim Vang said that no matter how difficult life is, her family also prioritizes vocational transmission, not letting Hue's song disappear. Artisan Kim Vang showed off in 1995, her brother, People's Artist Ngoc Binh, held the position of Head of Hue Opera Troupe. He has traveled everywhere to call for brothers and sisters who are wandering with many different professions to return to the group to practice and build programs imbued with Hue's identity.
With the guidance of People's Artist Ngoc Binh, Hue Opera and Opera Company increasingly asserts its position as a traditional stage for domestic and foreign audiences. In 1997, Hue Opera and Opera Company was honored to receive the second-class Labor Medal.
Musician Khanh "elected" proudly: "Hue Ca Club is about to turn 40 years old. As the next generation of descendants, we always strive to preserve the standards of Hue folk songs, so that visitors to the ancient capital will not be able to help but be attached to the boat and the melodies of the performing arts of Hue singing on the island. the poetic Perfume River".
In addition to the above-mentioned Hue family of songs, the ancient capital also has artisan Ha Trung (specialist in zither) and master Dinh Hung (Hue Conservatory of Music) who also actively transmit the profession to many young people who love ethnic musical instruments. they can play and sing Hue at the same time.
