MUSICIAN LU NHAT VU: A lifetime of dedication to folk music

After more than 7 months of treatment at People's Hospital 115 (HCMC), despite being cared for and treated by a team of dedicated doctors and nurses, the author of many famous songs has passed away.

"I live on braised fish, sour soup, and boiled vegetables"

The passing of musician Lu Nhat Vu in late March has left many people mourning. Almost everyone loved his compositions. People's Artist Kim Cuong emotionally expressed: "Mr. Lu Nhat Vu is the Buddha of the music world."

When talking about musician Lu Nhat Vu, people in the industry often say: "Lu Nhat Vu and the Southern region have relied on each other to live, and are happy with each other in the most sincere way". Musician Lu Nhat Vu just smiled: "I live thanks to pots of braised fish, sour soup, boiled vegetables... just like that to get through the day. And just like that, I have the strength to collect folk songs, and then create musical works".

Musician Lu Nhat Vu is widely known and loved by audiences nationwide with many famous songs such as: "Afternoon on Ban Meo", "Sai Gon Girl Goes to Load Ammunition", "Please Rest Your Heart, Mom", "Southern Land Song"... He is also the co-author of many monumental research works on Southern folk songs (co-written with a number of authors: Le Giang, Nguyen Dong Nai, Thach An, Nguyen Van Hoa, Quach Vu). In his songs, there is often a profound image of Southern mothers. "I have not written any songs specifically for mothers. "Please Rest Your Heart, Mom" ​​is a song I wrote for mothers whose children went to join the army to save the country, including my own mother" - he confided.

Musician Lu Nhat Vu loves taking care of plants. He likes to plant and care for them himself, then sit for hours to admire them. Confiding in the writer, he said: "Ms. Kim Cuong said I am a Buddha, and Buddha often asks why others are sad. So who understands Buddha's sadness?" At that time, poet Le Giang - his wife - answered on her husband's behalf: "You are asking a tricky question, Buddha's wife will bear it all." Then both of them looked at each other and laughed.

Musician Lu Nhat Vu. Photo: DOCUMENT

Debt to folk art

The writer had the opportunity to go to Tra Vinh with musician Lu Nhat Vu, at that time he studied the art of Robam of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh. This is a folk art that was born more than 200 years ago and developed strongly in the early 20th century. When he heard the artists talking about Robam art, he was very interested and said that he would try to find the original version to compose songs that truly expressed the spirit of the art. And he carried this debt when he fell ill.

During our meetings at the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Literature and Arts Associations, he often invited the writer: "Will you go to Tra Vinh with me tomorrow? You keep promising." I knew he said it for fun, because his health at that time did not allow him to sit in the car for too long.

He also often told writers: "If there is anything happy, remember to call me and tell me." And so, and whenever he called, he would talk for a long time, boasting about the food and the flower pots he was taking care of. The day Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper launched a campaign to compose a song with the theme "The Country is Full of Joy", he said: "I'm weak, I have many ideas in my head but it's hard to write an article to participate. But if there are results, let me know so I know how today's young people write about Ho Chi Minh City."

I had not yet had time to tell him the results of the contest when he left.

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  This morning, musician Lu Nhat Vu returned to "blue sky and white clouds" READ NOW

His passing has left many artists and writers in mourning, as they all appreciate his great contributions to the revolutionary cause and the country’s literature and arts. The news of his passing has been shared by musicians and singers in Ho Chi Minh City. Many people have sent words of encouragement to poet Le Giang in the face of this great loss.

Please light a stick of incense to bid farewell to the "Buddha" of the music world. His compositions and research works will forever be immortal.

Musician Lu Nhat Vu and journalist Thanh Hiep (Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper) at a meeting with outstanding artists of Ho Chi Minh City in early 2024, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. Photo: NHAT TIN

Musician Lu Nhat Vu (Le Van Gat) was born in 1936 in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province. In 1953, he composed the poem "Grave of Soldiers" and sent it to Dan Ta Newspaper in Saigon, under the pen name Lu Phong. In July 1955, he crossed the border to the North and joined the youth volunteer force, working at Cau Duong Plywood Factory. In 1956, he took the entrance exam to the Vietnam Music School. On the occasion of the Vietnam Music School making a wall newspaper to welcome the Spring of Dinh Dau 1957, he submitted the poem "The Hour of Separation" under the pen name Lu Nhat Vu.

He married poet Le Giang, both are shining examples for the young generation of artists to follow in their artistic path. He is a symbol of simplicity, dedication, and devotion to music and Southern folk culture. His music leaves behind many emotions, containing many humane messages.

His funeral was held at the Southern National Funeral Home (Go Vap District,

Ho Chi Minh City). Visitation from 8am on March 30. Memorial service at 7am on March 31, then burial at Hoa Vien Binh Duong Cemetery.

Writer Bui Anh Tan wrote: "The lyrics in the song "Please rest assured, mother": The army marches on the forest road, Dawn sparkles on the distant horizon. The deep green border, Dew drops glisten on the branches and leaves... by musician Lu Nhat Vu forever resonate in the hearts of soldiers holding guns to protect the border. They always feel warm when listening to this song... Please bid him farewell to this temporary world".

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nhac-si-lu-nhat-vu-tron-doi-cong-hien-cho-am-nhac-dan-toc-196250329203417609.htm