Those who "ignite" traditional folk art

In modern society, contributing to the preservation, conservation, and dissemination of unique cultural values ​​within the community cannot be overlooked, especially the "veteran figures" in traditional folk music clubs. They are considered the tireless "flame keepers" of these art forms alive through time, while simultaneously promoting the development of local culture and arts.

The core members of the Traditional Opera Club.

In Hoang Dan commune, Tam Duong district, the Traditional Opera Club has become a common home for experienced farmers who are passionate about and determined to preserve ancient folk songs. And one of the people who keeps the club shining is Ms. Phan Thi Luong, the head of the Hoang Dan Traditional Opera Club.

Ms. Phan Thi Luong, Head of the Hoang Dan Traditional Opera Club, puts on makeup before performing traditional opera.

Despite being 76 years old this year, Mrs. Luong still maintains good health and a strong singing voice. Sharing about how she came to Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera), Mrs. Luong said: “In the 1960s, Hoang Dan commune had a performing arts troupe that performed at the village communal house to serve during holidays and festivals, and I was a young member of the troupe. In 1964, when the national resistance war against the US was raging, the Central Northern Tuong Troupe (now the Vietnam Tuong Theatre) evacuated to the locality and borrowed the village communal house as a place for artists to practice and perform. Recognizing the local performing arts troupe's passion and love for traditional Tuong art, and moreover, many individuals had good voices suitable for it, the artists taught and guided us to approach and practice Tuong singing and dancing. Thanks to that, I became one of the first 20 members of the Hoang Dan Commune Tuong Club.”

From then on, during every holiday and festival, the Tuong (traditional Vietnamese opera) Club would set up a stage to perform for the people in the commune. Not only that, the club also toured throughout the northern provinces to entertain the people and to encourage and boost the morale of the soldiers fighting. The actors performed characteristic Tuong plays so well that they knew them by heart, such as Son Hau, De Tham, Ngo Quyen, Dao Tam Xuan, and Trung Nu Vuong…

Through the ups and downs of time and the changes in society, the art of Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera) gradually declined, and the audience dwindled, causing the club to temporarily cease operations. Gradually, the desire to preserve traditional Tuong art motivated more and more members to gather and revive the club. At that time, Ms. Luong, along with Ms. Lien and Mr. Phuc (club members), contacted artists from the Vietnam Tuong Theatre to seek their support and assistance with costumes, performance props, and sending teachers to guide the club on scripts and the reconstruction of some ancient Tuong plays.

Moreover, every day, Ms. Luong diligently "recruited" more members who loved Tuong (traditional Vietnamese opera) from local arts clubs to pass on her skills. With much effort, in November 2015, the Hoang Dan Tuong Club was officially re-established, and Ms. Phan Thi Luong was elected as its Chairperson. The youngest member is over 50 years old, while the oldest is over 80. The club currently has three members who have been awarded the title of "Outstanding Artisan" by the President of Vietnam : Ms. Phan Thi Luong, Ms. Le Thi Viet, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien.

To date, whenever the locality organizes festivals or important events, the club always plays a leading role in cultural and artistic programs. Ms. Luong shared: “Throughout my life, I have been dedicated to Tuong (traditional Vietnamese opera), using my songs and voices to serve the people. Every time I perform, being able to sing and embody a character with all my ability makes me very happy. I hope that more and more young people will love Tuong singing so that this art form will continue to resonate through time.”

Contributing to keeping the flame of Kim Xa Xoan Singing Club alive.

In Hoang Thuong village, Kim Xa commune, Vinh Tuong district, Mrs. Tran Thi Hong Ky, 72 years old - Vice Chairman of the Xoan Singing Club - is admired by many not only for her renowned Xoan singing talent but also for her burning passion and dedication to preserving and conserving the art of Xoan singing.

Born and raised in Hoang Thuong village (also known as Sau village), formerly famous for the Sau Xoan singing troupe, Ms. Ky was exposed to Xoan singing melodies from a young age, both from her grandmother and mother, and frequently watched elders perform Xoan at the village communal house. Her love and passion for Xoan singing grew and developed. By the age of 17, she was able to sing and dance to several ancient Xoan melodies.

Ms. Ky shared: "Xoan singing has a melody unlike any other folk song, the lyrics are mostly in Sino-Vietnamese script, and the hand and foot movements must be coordinated rhythmically with the lyrics. Therefore, if you don't truly love, are passionate about, and diligently practice, it will be very difficult to learn."

Like some other intangible cultural heritages, the vicissitudes of time have significantly impacted the art of Xoan singing. Furthermore, the elderly, renowned singers and actors in the village are getting older, their memories are limited, and many have passed away, so Xoan singing in Kim Xa has at times faced the risk of disappearing.

Aware of this, Ms. Ky and her friends sought out the elders in the village, who were once the leading singers and performers of the Xoan Sậu troupe, to learn and preserve the traditional singing techniques. Once they learned, they copied the songs into notebooks, carefully wrapping them in plastic to preserve them. Ms. Ky was also one of the members who gathered like-minded individuals to participate in the Xoan singing group in the village. In 2020, the Hoang Thuong Village Xoan Singing Club was officially established with 25 members. Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Khu was elected as the Club's Chairperson, and Ms. Tran Thi Hong Ky and Mr. Dau Duc Do were elected as Vice-Chairpersons.

Ms. Tran Thi Hong Ky (second from the left), Deputy Head of the Xoan Singing Club in Hoang Thuong village, Kim Xa commune (Vinh Tuong district), regularly teaches and guides members in practicing Xoan singing.

Every week, whenever they have free time, the women gather at Thanh Long Pagoda to practice. The older ones teach the younger ones, and those with more knowledge teach those with less, through oral tradition. The songs resonate, dispelling age barriers and erasing all the hardships of daily life.

Besides actively performing at local festivals, celebrations, and special events, the Hoang Thuong Village Xoan Singing Club also regularly organizes exchanges with Xoan singing clubs in other localities within and outside the province. Club members all say that participating in Xoan singing brings them joy in their old age and contributes to preserving the art of Xoan singing so that it may live on through time.

Those who "ignite" traditional art forms, positive "key figures" like Ms. Luong and Ms. Ky, have created momentum, strengthened, and enhanced the preservation of cultural heritage in the community, contributing to building an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity, so that the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation will forever endure and develop.

Text and photos: Thao My

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/128523/Nhung-nguoi-“thap-lua”-nghe-thuat-dan-ca-truyen-thong