Distinguished Artisan Lam Tan Binh is teaching ginang drumming techniques to students.
A deep connection with our ancestral culture.
Born into a Cham ethnic family and raised amidst the Katê and Rija festivals, young Lam Tan Binh was instilled with a special love for his people's culture. From his elementary school days, whenever he heard the sounds of the ginang drums and saranai horns echoing throughout the village, he would secretly put down his books and run after them, captivated by each dance and sacred ritual performed by the Ka-ing priests. Not only did he watch, but Binh also created his own "musical instruments" from the engine compartment of a tractor, tapping along to the ginang melodies he heard, and then dancing with his friends over the fire in the scorching, dry fields.
That passion gradually grew into a way of life. At 14, Lam Tan Binh was chosen for the first time to participate in the dance performance "Kinh Chiem Thuong Unity" in Can Tho . At that time, the late veteran artist Dao Bo recognized the boy's exceptional artistic talent and taught him the techniques of playing the baranang and ginang drums, along with the poignant melodies of the Ariya chants. From secretly listening to the mournful chants of the late artist Lu Do on full moon nights, to accompanying his father to Cham language classes, Lam Tan Binh's soul was instilled with pride in Cham culture. This precious foundation allowed him to live fully with his love for his ethnic culture, wherever he stood – on a professional stage or in the village square.
Distinguished Artisan Lam Tan Binh
Artists on stage
With over 50 years dedicated to Cham culture and arts, Lam Tan Binh is not only a talented performing artist but also a devoted teacher who sows the seeds of heritage for the younger generation. From his position as the Team Leader of the Phan Hiep Commune Arts Troupe in the 1980s, he gradually established himself as the "leader" of cultural and artistic movements in the region. Rising step by step from Head of the Bac Binh Cham Folk Art Troupe to Director of the Binh Thuan Cham Culture Exhibition Center, he has become the driving force behind many large-scale Cham folk art programs at the provincial and national levels.
Lam Tan Binh's name is associated with dance works deeply rooted in the Cham spirit: "Flower Offering to Uncle Ho"; "Ramuwan Festival"; "Rija Praong Joy". The soft, graceful movements, following the traditional rhythms—left foot stepping first, right foot following in rhythm—have created a unique mark on the Cham dance art he choreographed. In particular, his innovations in musical arrangement, ginang-saranai ensembles, and the harmonization of Ariya folk melodies have earned him numerous Gold and Silver medals at regional and national art festivals and competitions.
But the allure of the stage wasn't enough to hold the artist back. Upon returning to his hometown of Phan Hiep, he tirelessly taught the art of ginang drumming, saranai horn playing, Cham script, and Ariya to countless students. From 1995 to the present, hundreds of students – from young artists and actors of the Bien Xanh Theater to Cham children in Phan Hiep, Phan Hoa, and Ham Tri – have all grown up under his tutelage. Among them, the most outstanding is Cuu Dang Long An , the son of the late artist Cuu Lac. With a solid foundation from his father and the dedicated guidance of his teacher, Mr. Binh, Long An quickly established himself, becoming the Head of the Bac Binh Cham Folk Art Troupe, continuing the path of preserving his ancestors' heritage.
Distinguished artisan Lam Tan Binh also created a method of notating the sounds of the ginang drum and systematizing the Saranai horn according to modern musical notes, making it easier for students to learn and shortening the learning time. He applied the method of the late artisan Truong Ton to systematize the 9 original melodies according to 7 musical notes. These innovations help preserve and facilitate access to Cham musical instruments for young people.
Distinguished Artisan Lam Tan Binh has completed his application for the prestigious title of "People's Artisan" and it has been approved by the provincial council as meeting the criteria to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. If awarded, this title would not only be a well-deserved recognition of his more than half a century of dedication to Cham culture, but also a source of shared pride for the entire Cham community in the white sand region of Binh Thuan.
The Silent Researcher
Not only an artist and teacher, Meritorious Artisan Lam Tan Binh is also a quiet and diligent researcher, meticulously documenting the history of Cham culture. He has led and collaborated with Associate Professor Dr. Thanh Phan on numerous provincial-level scientific projects, ranging from research on Cham Brahman and Bani rituals, Ariya and Hari Raglai chanting, to the treasure trove of Cham folk tales. His book, "Cham Heritage Sites and Festivals in Binh Thuan," is a valuable resource, contributing to the preservation and introduction of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Cham community to domestic and international audiences.
After decades of dedicated service, his greatest concern is not only the risk of heritage fading away as many elderly artisans pass away, while the younger generation increasingly distances themselves from traditional culture. Nevertheless, in the eyes and heart of this artisan, there remains unwavering faith. Seeing the seeds of heritage – his students today – continuing the artistic journey, he believes that as long as each Cham person cherishes their roots, Cham culture will never perish.
Source: https://baodantoc.vn/nghe-nhan-lam-tan-binh-danh-ca-cuoc-doi-cho-van-hoa-cham-1743762440600.htm
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