Artist Ka Da Phuong: "Falling in love" with the gourd trumpet

We met artist Ka Da Phuong at Po Klong Garai tower on the occasion of the Kate Festival 2025. His gentle mountain air mixed with the unique sound of the gourd flute, contributing to the success of the traditional festival music of the Cham people. The performance style and the sound of the gourd flute of artist Ka Da Phuong left a deep impression on visitors about the traditional musical instrument of the Raglai people in Khanh Hoa province.

After the Kate festival, we returned to Ta Duong village in Phuoc Huu commune to meet artist Ka Da Phuong - who has been with the Ta Duong village music team for more than 20 years. He said that when he was young, he was fascinated by the sound of the ma la and the gourd trumpet during the village's big festivals. When he turned 30, he became proficient in playing the ma la and became a member of the village music team. This is the traditional music team of the Raglai people.

Ta Duong village's music team performed a Raglai musical instrument ensemble to celebrate the Kate Festival 2025 at Po Klong Garai tower.

Talking about the opportunity to play the gourd trumpet, artist Ka Da Phuong said: "Previously, I played the ma la in sync with the gourd trumpet of artist Chamaléa Thanh. When artist Thanh was old and weak, the village chief encouraged me to learn to play the gourd trumpet to replace him. Currently, the village's music team has 6 members: 4 people playing the ma la, 1 person playing the drum and 1 person playing the gourd trumpet, which is me. These three basic musical instruments harmonize to create a resounding sound like the "eating and speaking" of the Raglai people on occasions of celebrating the new rice season, village festivals, weddings, grave-sweeping...".

Following the long-standing tradition of solidarity, the Raglai people of Ta Duong village and the Cham people of Phuoc Dong village will undertake the ritual of carrying costumes and performing musical instruments to welcome Kate every year. This year's Kate festival is the same, the members of the Ta Duong village Music Team are very happy to perform for the big festival of the Cham people and introduce the traditional musical instruments of the Raglai people to domestic and foreign tourists. From the gourd flute - the traditional musical instrument of his people, artisan Ka Da Phuong and artisans Chamaléa Toan, Ta Thia Tan, Vi Mon Chung, Ja Ghe Ba, Ja Kia Dang in the Ta Duong village musical instrument team played in harmony the following melodies: Raq Ia (Following the water), Chip Yâu (Chim chirping), Budi Tuih (Chim Ru Ri), Peq bok Rupai (Picking beans), Tikay aday nao kajăp karo (Your legs walk strong and well), Kalak Toah Ia (The eagle goes looking for water), Sia (Reunion)... to serve the people and tourists. "I still have to practice hard for a long time to be able to play the gourd flute with soul and spirit that people love. At the same time, I learn to make gourd flutes to preserve the unique traditional musical instrument of my people", artisan Ka Da Phuong shared.

Artist Ka Da Phuong performs on the gourd trumpet.

Mr. Da Ghe Hoang Tho - Head of Ta Duong village said: "Artisan Ka Da Phuong is a typical representative factor in effectively implementing the cultural and artistic movement at the grassroots level. From a musician performing ma la, at the request of the village, artist Phuong switched to learning and making efforts to successfully perform the trumpet, promoting the sense of responsibility towards the community. In addition, he also takes care of developing a traditional musical instrument team. Thereby, contributing to preserving and promoting the unique cultural values ​​of the Raglai people in general and the beauty of ethnic music in Ta Duong village in particular."

THAI SON NGOC

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/202510/nghe-nhan-ka-da-phuong-ben-duyen-voi-ken-bau-71c5d47/