The person who "ignited" Khmer dance art.

With her enthusiastic heart and deep passion for traditional dance, Ms. Lam Thi Hau, residing in Tan Qui A hamlet, Tan Thanh commune (Can Tho city), not only directly teaches Khmer dances to children but also inspires a love for ethnic culture in many young people of the Khmer community.

From a young age, Lam Thi Hau nurtured a passion for dance. She recounted: “I loved dancing since I was a student at a boarding school for ethnic minorities. Back then, the school invited artists and performers from the Khmer Art Troupe of Soc Trang to teach me. From then on, I became even more passionate and determined to pursue this path.”

After graduating from high school, Hau passed the entrance exam for the Cultural and Arts Management program at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture. This was a turning point for her to accumulate knowledge and nurture her dream of dedicating herself to traditional Vietnamese dance.

During her studies, Hau actively participated in the school's cultural and artistic activities, especially programs related to Khmer culture. Thanks to her talent and efforts, she had the opportunity to perform and stage many artistic programs rich in cultural identity.

After graduating, she returned to her hometown and opened a dance class for children near her home. She then sought permission from the head monk of Bang Kro Chap Thmay temple to organize free dance classes for the temple's children. The dance videos she posted on social media quickly attracted attention, leading to invitations to teach in many places. From these classes, many dance troupes were formed, performing for the community at cultural events.

Ms. Lam Thi Hau (second from the left) teaches the dance moves to the children.

Beyond teaching skills, Hau also instills pride and a sense of preserving cultural identity in the younger generation. Son Thi Huynh Anh, a member of the dance team at Bang Kro Chap Thmay Pagoda, shared: “I’ve loved dancing since I was little. When I learned that Ms. Hau was offering free classes, I immediately signed up. She’s very approachable, dedicated, and creates a fun atmosphere during each practice session. I’ve been studying for over two years now and have participated in performances at many festivals.”

The dance troupe at Bang Kro Chap Thmay Pagoda in Tan Thanh commune, managed by Hau, currently attracts a large number of young people passionate about Khmer dance. Despite her busy work at a government agency, she still manages to teach dance at several nearby pagodas in the evenings. In addition, she is invited by some pagodas to An Giang province on weekends to teach students. A course usually lasts 10-15 sessions. To date, the dance classes taught by Hau have attracted over 300 students.

Ms. Lam Thi Hau expressed her delight, saying, "Many Khmer dance troupes have been established in the community, showing that cultural preservation is spreading everywhere. What I hope for most is to have more stages for the children to showcase their talents and nurture their passion."

With a heart full of love for art and dedication, Ms. Lam Thi Hau is making a significant contribution to preserving and promoting Khmer cultural identity. Her dance classes are not only a place to hone skills, but also to cultivate national pride, helping the younger generation become inheritors and promoters of the nation's precious traditions.

Text and photos: THACH PICH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nguoi-gop-lua-cho-nghe-thuat-mua-khmer-a190663.html