In a small house nestled in Group 6, Yen Nghia Ward ( Hanoi ), the warm storytelling voice of an artist now 83 years old echoes. That is Meritorious Artist Luu Thi Kim Lien - a person with a thin body, silver hair, but still bright eyes, containing so many ambitions and love for Ca Tru. It is rare for anyone to know that inside that quiet appearance is a life that has never rested, an artist, a living witness of traditional Ca Tru art.

Late in life with art

Coming to Meritorious Artist Luu Thi Kim Lien on an autumn day, we were impressed by her house filled with medals and awards. The wall of the house became a display space, where the medals, certificates of merit and awards were solemnly arranged, like a glorious chronicle marking her tireless dedication to the art of Ca Tru.

We glanced through her “assets”, the certificates of merit for the cause of education , trade unions, women’s liberation and population. Among them, she paused longer next to the title “Meritorious Artist of Ca Tru” which was recently awarded (in 2019). “A late fate is very precious”, she smiled, joy clearly visible in her eyes.

Each Award and Medal is the soul and glorious memory of Ms. Lien's artistic life.

Ms. Luu Thi Kim Lien was born in 1942 into a farming family, but both her father and mother had a deep love for folk art. It was in that cozy house that she grew up listening to nursery rhymes and her mother's lullabies. The simple lullabies planted a deep love in the young soul of little Kim Lien, sparking her passion for music right from her first steps in life.

Immersed in her mother’s folk songs, the younger Lien grew up, revealing her innate artistic talent. “When I was 6 years old, I already knew how to sing. I sang folk songs, Cheo songs, not Ca Tru songs, but after listening to them a lot, they seeped into my body without me even realizing it,” she said.

In 1958, the first reformed opera troupe of the National Theatre School in the North came to Ha Nam to select actors. “The whole Ha Nam province (old) had 240 candidates, but only 4 were selected, including me,” she said, her eyes still shining with pride.

When the dream of standing on stage seemed to be right before her eyes, the tuition fee weighed heavily on the young girl’s dream and artistic aspirations. At this point, her voice suddenly dropped: “My family is poor, my parents are old. I borrowed money but no one gave me anything. Everyone is as miserable as me.” She sighed softly, her eyes looking into the distance, “So I’m back… what a pity. I had the opportunity but I didn’t take it.”

At the age of 83, Meritorious Artist Luu Thi Kim Lien still retains her love for Ca Tru.

Thirty years standing on the podium (Mo Lao Primary School, from 1961 to 1989...), she still kept the fire of an artist in her. "Throughout thirty years of teaching, I still sing very well," she smiled, passion shining in her eyes that have experienced many years. "I participated in all the art competitions of teachers and the education department, I still love art. I just didn't think that one day I would return to ca tru."

When she left the chalk and blackboard, she returned to Ca Tru not only as a hobby but also as a way to find herself, with all her heart and the experience of a life that has tasted all the sweet and bitter. The sound of clappers and zither today is no longer a young dream, but a continuation of a love that has been refined over time, quiet, persistent, but never extinguished.

The voice of the "fire keeper"

The journey of "keeping the fire" of Meritorious Artisan Luu Thi Kim Lien is truly a story filled with love and perseverance. At her "rare" age, the artist still day and night agonizes over the melodious lines and the ups and downs of traditional art. Ms. Lien confided that learning Ca Tru is very difficult, it takes three months to be able to play the clappers, three years to learn a few tunes. Every night, the old artist patiently and meticulously teaches each beat, how to take a breath, and pronounce words to the students, from young people to the elderly.

Mrs. Kim Lien devoted her whole life to Ca Tru, creating impressive stages and songs. Photo provided by the character

She said: “Ca Tru is an art that requires investment, meticulousness, and is very difficult and elaborate to learn. Nowadays, young people often just want to learn quickly and in a hurry. But the soul and essence of Ca Tru cannot be learned carelessly like that.”

Those confidences were like a heavy sigh. The lack of people who truly wanted to stick with and commit to the difficulties and hardships of the profession always made her feel pain.

Meritorious Artist Luu Thi Kim Lien spreads her passion for Ca Tru to many people.

The rhythms and melodies have permeated her breath, becoming silent witnesses to her deep love and steadfast dedication. In a world rushing to pursue new values, the old artist still silently sows the seeds of Ca Tru day and night, diligently teaching each note and beat. She only hopes that this quintessential heritage will find its rightful place, be accepted and continued.

And so, on the village road, the light from Mrs. Lien’s house still shines diligently every night, welcoming generations of students who come to learn ca tru. Nearly 30 years have passed since the day she decided to return to her passion, that light has never once gone out, but seems to be brighter than ever, like the flame of heritage that she is wholeheartedly preserving./.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/nghe-nhan-uu-tu-luu-thi-kim-lien-tham-lang-neo-giu-tinh-hoa-ca-tru-925887