In the cultural life of the Khmer community in Tay Ninh , folk dance art is not only a means of expressing beliefs but also a spiritual "treasure" closely associated with national identity.
One of the typical art forms, imbued with performance elements and philosophy of life, is the Chan dance - a unique epic dance form that is being preserved by the Khmer community here.
Folk dance with royal style
The dance of the dragon, also known as Robam Yeak Roam, is a form of dramatization based on the epic poem Riem Ke, similar to the Indian story Ramayana. This is a traditional art form that has existed for a long time in Khmer cultural life, and was once popular in the southern provinces such as Tra Vinh , Soc Trang, Kien Giang and Tay Ninh.
In the dance, the artists transform into epic characters such as Prince Preth Riem - the most important main character of the play with a gentle and kind personality; Xay Da - Preth Riem's wife, a talented and loyal woman; King Riep - the villain with a fierce face; the brave and warlike monkey god Hanuman...
Through colorful costumes, symbolic props and especially highly physical choreography, they express character traits, plots and messages about cause and effect, good and evil, love and loyalty.
The special feature of the Chan dance is that it does not use masks like the Lakhol Khol form. Instead, the artist expresses emotions through facial expressions and body movements, in an open performance space, combined with traditional Pinpeat music including drums, gongs, flutes, trumpets... creating a mysterious, solemn but still familiar atmosphere.
A fusion of dance, storytelling and embodiment
Each dragon dance performance is a complex performance of body language, stage techniques and folk legends.
Every hand movement, eye contact, and step is standardized according to tradition, imitating the image of humans, gods, or sacred animals in Buddhism and Hindu culture.
For example, the character of the ogre King Riep is often portrayed with decisive, strong and somewhat ferocious movements. In contrast, the lady Xay Da is portrayed softly and gracefully.
The couple dances between Preth Riem and Xay Da are often emotional, while the fighting scenes with the ogres or the scenes where Hanuman uses tricks require high technique and fast tempo.
The artists participating in the Chan dance are not only dancers, but also storytellers through their bodies. Through each dance, the audience can feel the journey of overcoming challenges, fighting evil and the journey of seeking justice, a value that runs through Eastern culture.
Role in the life of the Khmer Tay Ninh community
Chan dance is often performed during major Khmer festivals such as Chol Chnam Thmay (Traditional New Year), Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony, pagoda festivals or national cultural festivals.
Not only entertaining, the dragon dance is also a form of moral education, expressing the philosophy of life through epic stories.
In Tay Ninh, Chan dance art is the pride of the Khmer community in communes such as Truong Tay, Truong Hoa, Long Thanh Nam...
Generations of artisans have taught and preserved ancient dances through storytelling, action, and performance in community spaces such as pagodas, ethnic cultural houses, or festival stages.
Risk of extinction and conservation efforts
Despite its unique cultural and artistic value, the dragon dance is currently facing the risk of extinction.
The characteristic of this art form is that it exists mainly through word of mouth and has not been systematically systematized. Many older artists have left the stage, while the younger generation has little opportunity to access or is no longer interested in this traditional art form.
According to Master Ngo Tu Le - Tay Ninh Province Literature and Arts Association, "Without appropriate preservation policies, the melodies, drum beats and characteristic movements will gradually disappear when the artisans are no longer there and there are no successors."
Realizing the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage, Tay Ninh province has been implementing programs to restore, teach and perform Khmer folk dance art.
Combining cultural preservation with tourism development, especially at destinations such as Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area, is considered an effective solution to promote national identity values in the integration era./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/mua-chan-vu-dieu-su-thi-doc-dao-cua-nguoi-khmer-tay-ninh-post1056003.vnp
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