Meritorious artist Lam Thi Huong recalls the tour 17 years ago, when the Ro bam Resmay Bung Chong art troupe (Tran De district, Soc Trang province) first brought ancient Khmer royal dances to Washington DC (USA).
Proud to bring Vietnamese culture to the world
Meritorious Artist Lam Thi Huong said that in 2007, when the Smithsonian Folklife Festival - one of the world's largest cultural events took place in Washington DC with the theme "Mekong - The River Connecting Cultures", Vietnam was honored to have 11 types of folk culture selected to participate, including Ro Bam dance - a Khmer royal art form with a history of hundreds of years.
Under the stage lights, Khmer dancers with gorgeous costumes, soft but powerful movements, brought American audiences into a mysterious world, where Khmer mythology, beliefs and souls blend in every gesture.
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Meritorious artist Lam Thi Huong (second from left) and three members of the Robam dance troupe performed in the US in 2007. |
Recalling her days performing in the US, artist Lam Thi Huong still could not hide her emotions: “We brought to the US dances that were once performed in the royal court, slow, graceful but powerful dances that captivated the audience. Not only did we perform, we also interacted with international friends, telling them about the stories behind the dances, about the culture of the Khmer community in the South.”
That trip opened a new door for the art of Robam dance. From a performance form associated with pagodas and traditional festivals, Robam dance has stepped onto the world stage, affirming its status as a valuable cultural heritage.
Father to son…
Artist Lam Thi Huong was born into a Khmer family of 6 siblings in a small village in Bung Chong hamlet, Tai Van commune, Tran De district, Soc Trang province. All of her siblings can perform Ro bam, but thanks to her outstanding ability, she was given the important responsibility of being the 5th generation leader of the family's Ro bam troupe.
Growing up amidst the melodies of the pentatonic music and the standard dances of the Ro Bam, Ms. Huong not only learned to dance, but also absorbed the spirit and profound meaning of this art form.
Unlike other forms of theater, Robam uses dance as the main language to tell stories. Therefore, not everyone can fully perceive the meaning hidden in each movement. To help the audience understand better, artists often incorporate dialogue, storytelling or singing to explain the content during the performance.
Another special feature of Ro Bam is the subtle combination of many art forms: From traditional music with drums, drum sticks, gongs, and mournful trumpets; to the fine art in each mask, elaborate costumes, and even acting elements through expressions and body movements. All create a harmonious whole that attracts viewers.
Family of artisan Lam Thi Huong (front row, second from right). Photo provided by character |
“Ro bam is not only my passion, but also my responsibility to preserve this unique art form. This is the reason why for decades, I have been continuing to teach young actors to preserve and promote this cultural form,” said Meritorious Artist Lam Thi Huong.
However, this art form is facing the risk of extinction. In the age of technology and modern forms of entertainment, preserving and promoting the art of Robam dance has become a difficult task. Artists must not only preserve the traditional dance, but also find ways to adapt and innovate to reach the younger generation.
To keep the legacy alive
Meritorious artist Lam Thi Huong said that she always believes: "As long as there is one person who loves and learns the Robam dance, this heritage will never be lost." Therefore, over the years, with all her passion for the profession, she has made constant efforts to maintain and teach this art form to the younger generation.
Despite her declining health, she still spends many hours every day practicing and teaching young actors each dance move and each line. She believes that art cannot be learned through theory alone, but must be practiced to feel and absorb. At the end of each class, she organizes small performances for her students to practice, helping them not only master the dance moves, but also understand the spiritual value of this art form.
Thanks to her dedicated teaching methods, she has trained hundreds of excellent students. Many of them have become pillars of famous Robam art troupes such as Resmay Bung Chong troupe and Khmer dance groups in Soc Trang.
Not only preserving and developing the art of Ro bam dance in her hometown, Meritorious Artist Lam Thi Huong also brings Ro bam further afield, so that more people have the opportunity to approach and understand this art form. In 2016, invited by the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism to restore the ancient Ro bam stage, she and her husband, artist Son Del, decided to leave their hometown, bringing a number of actors from Soc Trang to Hanoi, to participate in performances and promote the art of Ro bam dance here.
“I miss my home, my homeland, and my relatives so much. But I have to try my best to give my children and grandchildren here a place to rely on. Wherever they are, they are still my family, because I carry the responsibility of preserving culture on my shoulders,” the artist shared.
Mr. La Si Nuol with his mother, artist Lam Thi Huong, and younger sister. Photo provided by the character . |
Now, at the age of 65, artisan Lam Thi Huong can rest assured, because she has trained the next generation of successors, her son and daughter, who are young but always concerned and passionate about preserving and maintaining traditional art.
Mr. La Si Nuol - son of Meritorious Artist Lam Thi Huong, the 6th generation successor of the Resmay Bung Chong Ro Bam troupe, said that he not only has a passion for the art of Ro Bam dance, but also shouldered the responsibility of preserving and spreading this cultural heritage to the next generation. He and other Ro Bam lovers are maintaining the dance troupe in Soc Trang province and Ho Chi Minh City, and at the same time opening dance classes for children in his hometown of Tran De, instilling in the next generation a passion for traditional art.
In a corner of the room, Meritorious Artist Lam Thi Huong solemnly hung up her Certificates of Merit. |
At 65 years old and 55 years of experience with Ro Bam, Meritorious Artist Lam Thi Huong has devoted her entire life to preserving and continuing the unique royal mask dance art form of the Khmer people.
With her contributions, in March 2019, she was honored to be awarded the title of Meritorious Artist by the President. In September 2019, the ancient Ro Bam stage was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2021, she received a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for her contributions to the preservation of Khmer culture. In August 2024, she continued to be awarded the Medal "For the cause of ethnic development" by the Minister and Chairman of the Ethnic Committee, recognizing her important role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Khmer people. In addition, she also received a Certificate of Merit from the People's Committee of Soc Trang province for teaching the art of the Southern Ro Bam stage.
Article and photos: THANH HUONG
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/nghe-nhan-uu-tu-lam-thi-huong-nguoi-giu-gin-va-truyen-lua-nghe-thuat-mua-ro-bam-829132
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