86-year-old Tay artist and his whole life with Then songs and Tinh lute melodies

For many years, Meritorious Artist Luong Thiem Phu (86 years old) in Binh Lieu commune, Quang Ninh province has been diligently working with Tinh lutes and Then singing classes every day, passing on the pride of Tay culture to the younger generation.

Passing on passion to the younger generation

Born into a Tay ethnic family in Binh Lieu, since his childhood, Luong Thiem Phu was fascinated with following adults to watch Then singing performances in the village.

At first, he just hummed along, gradually memorizing the lyrics and confidently singing. Recognizing his passion, the elders in the village enthusiastically taught him how to emphasize and sing, then passed on many new melodies. By the age of twenty, Phu was able to compose his first Then songs.

Meritorious artist Luong Thiem Phu (far right) with the Then singing - Tinh lute club. Photo: My Dung

But then, like many other traditional art forms, Then singing is at risk of being lost. In the years of economic hardship, young people are busy making a living, few people have time to sit by the fire to sing Then. Many ancient Then songs gradually fall into oblivion, making Mr. Luong Thiem Phu worried.

With the desire to preserve his father's legacy, in 2007, he boldly founded the Then Tinh Huc singing club, initially gathering 18 members. The club meets regularly every week, becoming a cultural meeting place for enthusiasts.

Not stopping there, Mr. Phu also traveled to many villages, teaching young people who shared the same passion. His classroom had no fixed desks and chairs, just a corner of the yard and a porch, but the students were very eager.

"We were taught and guided by Mr. Phu very enthusiastically in every lyric of the Then song and every sound of the Tinh lute" - La Thi Ha, one of his students shared.

To date, he has collected 6 ancient Then songs and composed more than 100 new songs. He has also opened 16 classes to teach Then singing and Tinh playing to more than 360 people in many localities.

Keep the profession of making Tinh lute

Artisan Luong Thiem Phu also devotes all his heart to making Dan Tinh.

To make a đàn tính, he has to go through many meticulous steps: choosing strong boóc láp wood (in Tay language), drying it, planing it smooth, carving patterns, and coating it with paint. Then, he takes a gourd that he planted himself, drills a sound hole, and fits it perfectly to the body of the instrument.

Artisan Luong Thiem Phu is diligently teaching Tay culture to the younger generation. Photo: My Dung

Each đàn tính is the crystallization of patience, meticulousness and love for national culture. In addition to the đàn tính for performances, he also makes mini versions for tourists to take home as souvenirs.

“A small and pretty instrument that encapsulates the Tay culture. I bought it not only to display but also to remember the sound of the instrument in the mountains and forests of Binh Lieu forever” - said Ms. Hoang Thi Thuy Duyen, a tourist from Hai Phong .

However, the craft of making Tinh lutes is now known only to very few people, mostly the elderly. Mr. Phu is willing to teach the craft for free to anyone who is passionate, hoping that this unique musical instrument of the Tay people will not be lost.

Although the income from this profession is not much, he still perseveres. Because for him, each completed instrument and each class completed is a hope that the art of singing Then and playing Tinh will be preserved and passed on to future generations.

For him, the happiness of old age is hearing the young people hum Then songs, the sound of Tinh zither echoing in festivals. In the eyes of the old artist, it is not just music but the soul of an entire community.

Maintaining his profession at a rare age, artisan Luong Thiem Phu was awarded a certificate of merit and the title of Meritorious Artisan in the field of intangible cultural heritage by the President in April 2019. The certificate of merit is not only a recognition of personal merit but also a testament to the perseverance of a person who has devoted his whole life to preserving and promoting national culture.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nghe-nhan-nguoi-tay-86-tuoi-va-ca-cuoc-doi-voi-cau-hat-then-dieu-dan-tinh-2441418.html