Keeping the Southern Vietnamese folk music tradition alive.

Despite numerous ups and downs, the art of Southern Vietnamese folk music (Đờn ca tài tử) has been preserved and promoted in Ca Mau thanks to the love and passion of many generations. From rural areas to urban centers, the sounds of the instruments and the songs have become a familiar "spiritual nourishment" in the lives of the people in the southernmost tip of the country.

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With the attention of all levels and sectors, the artisans and clubs of Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera) in the community have been persistently contributing to keeping the flame alive for this rich and distinctive traditional art form.

After a tiring day of work, in his free time, Mr. Huynh Van Ngoan (Chau Thoi commune) gathers his friends, those who share his passion for Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera), to sing a few melodies together. For him, these are moments of relaxation, helping to dispel the hardships and worries of everyday life.

A meeting of the Huynh Ngoan Traditional Music Club.

Mr. Ngoan's boundless passion for the melodious tones of the kìm and bầu instruments, harmonizing with sweet melodies, has been ingrained in him since his youth. Therefore, when given the opportunity to learn to play the instruments, he diligently studied and honed his skills throughout his younger years, eventually becoming a renowned musician.

Besides gathering to sing and play music to satisfy his passion, Mr. Ngoan, along with some friends, also established the Huynh Ngoan Traditional Music Club (of which he is the Chairman), bringing together people who love this traditional art form to participate in activities and teach, with the desire to preserve and develop the traditional music movement in the locality.

The art of traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music (đờn ca tài tử) has been preserved and developed, becoming a source of spiritual nourishment for a large number of people. (Photo: LE TUAN ANH)

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Mr. Huynh Van Ngoan's students come from various age groups: middle-aged, young adults, and even children. Despite differences in age, gender, and occupation, they all share a passion for Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera). Therefore, even with busy schedules, they still make time to share their music and songs together.

Having taught traditional Vietnamese music and singing to generations of students for over 18 years, Mr. Huynh Van Ngoan said: “ I teach because I want to preserve the melodies of my homeland for future generations; and my students want to spread those melodies further. It is this shared passion and dedication that binds us together, maintaining and developing the traditional music and singing movement in our commune.”

Artists introduce the art of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) to foreign tourists. (Photo: LE TUAN ANH)

“I’ve known Mr. Ngoan for a long time, but only recently had the opportunity to study with him. Because I work far away, I only come back to practice singing with him a couple of times every few months. I’ve been involved with the Huynh Ngoan Traditional Music Club for over 3 years now, and although not regularly, I still cherish this shared home. The melodies of my homeland always accompany me during my time away from home. Whenever I feel sad, I hum a few lines, and my heart warms up, and my homeland feels so close,” Ms. Bich Ngoan (Chau Thoi commune) expressed.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tieu, a member of the Huynh Ngoan Traditional Music Club, proudly said: “During the off-season, I and my fellow members travel to many places to perform traditional music, both to earn extra income to maintain the club and to spread the melodies of our homeland far and wide, instilling a love for traditional music in many people. I am very proud to have contributed a small part to preserving and developing traditional music.”

Performing traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music at the Memorial Area for Southern Vietnamese Folk Music and Musician Cao Văn Lầu (Bạc Liêu Ward). (Photo: HỮU THỌ)

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The art of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) is a source of pride for the people of Southern Vietnam in general, and Ca Mau in particular. This musical form, imbued with the essence of the river's alluvial soil, evokes a myriad of emotions; each time its melodies resonate, listeners feel a deep longing, nostalgia, and love for their homeland. It is thanks to clubs and "keepers of the flame" like Mr. Huynh Van Ngoan that Cai Luong is consistently maintained and developed within the community, contributing to the preservation of this intangible cultural heritage representing humanity over the years.

Chuc Chi - Tien Luan

Source: https://baocamau.vn/giu-lua-tai-tu-nam-bo-a123569.html