A place to nurture love of traditional music

Because his house is near the pagoda, Danh Ngoc Giau, residing in Nam Chua hamlet, Nam Thai commune, An Bien district ( Kien Giang ), was allowed by his parents to go to the pagoda to listen to pentatonic music since he was a child. In the summer of 2023, the monks of Thu Nam pagoda encouraged Giau to learn Khmer and join the art club. Giau agreed and registered to learn pentatonic music.

Having joined the Khmer art club of Thursday Pagoda for more than 2 months now, Giau has been able to perform many acts with the members of the art troupe. “Learning pentatonic music is difficult, but I try my best to contribute to preserving and promoting the traditional art of the nation,” Giau said.

In addition to performing pentatonic music, the Khmer art club of Thursday Pagoda also teaches singing and performs traditional dances. Thi Da, a resident of Bao Lang hamlet, Nam Thai commune, participates in all the rehearsals.

“The traditional music and dances of the Khmer people have been with me since I was a child. Through the dances, I understand the art of the nation and introduce those values to everyone,” said Thi Da.

Khmer art club of Thursday Pagoda, An Bien district (Kien Giang) practices playing pentatonic music.

The success of the art club is thanks to the dedication of the monks of Thu Nam Pagoda. Venerable Danh Nang - Vice President and Chief Secretary of the Provincial Association of Patriotic Monks and Monks, abbot of Thu Nam Pagoda, visits each house to promote the preservation and promotion of traditional artistic values of the nation. The Venerable also regularly organizes visits for young people to Khmer art troupes, inspiring passion and love for art in the young generation.

“Determining that the younger generation contributes to preserving and promoting the traditional artistic values of the nation, the monk coordinated with the district to launch the Khmer art club. Up to now, club members practice regularly, participate in performances at festivals and participate in art competitions organized by the province. The performances contribute to preserving and promoting the traditional art of the nation,” Venerable Danh Nang shared.

The solo performance of a member of the Khmer art club of Thursday Pagoda, An Bien district (Kien Giang) won the A prize at the provincial Khmer traditional art festival.

According to comrade Tran Van Minh - Director of the Center for Culture - Sports and Broadcasting of An Bien district (Kien Giang), the cultural and artistic movement of Thu Nam pagoda has always been maintained and increasingly developed.

“In recent times, the district has always paid attention to developing the traditional arts of the Khmer people. The establishment of the Khmer arts club at Thursday Pagoda aims to preserve and promote traditional arts and contribute to the completion of Project 6 of the national target program on socio -economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas of the district,” said Mr. Tran Van Minh.

Article and photos: DANH THANH

Source