To prevent Bài Chòi folk art, a unique and valuable heritage deeply rooted in the spiritual life of the people of Central Vietnam, from gradually fading away, the artisans at the Don Due Bài Chòi Folk Art Club in Vinh Hoang commune are quietly preserving and spreading it to pass it on to future generations.
Ms. Tran Thi Ly, head of the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club, said that she has had a deep love for Bai Choi art since childhood. As she grew up, Ms. Ly tried to learn Bai Choi art from the elders in Don Due village. In addition, she also researched and learned about Bai Choi art from Hue City, Da Nang City, and the provinces of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak.
The art of Bài Chòi varies in different regions. In Don Due village, Vinh Hoang commune, and Tung Luat village, Cua Tung commune, according to the organizers' regulations, 9-11 small huts can be erected (divided into 2 teams with one main hut in the center)... In the past, Bài Chòi players mainly chanted rather than incorporating folk songs into their performances as is common in Bài Chòi clubs in the central provinces today.
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| Ms. Tran Thi Ly teaches the art of Bai Choi to students - Photo: SH |
Around 2019, while nurturing the idea of establishing the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club, Ms. Tran Thi Ly began participating in activities at the Song Hien Folk Song Club. Joining the Song Hien Folk Song Club, Ms. Ly devoted herself to learning folk melodies from Binh Tri Thien with the goal of incorporating Binh Tri Thien folk songs into the art of Bai Choi.
Having been involved with the Song Hien Folk Song Club for nearly three years, Ms. Ly has learned many folk melodies from Binh Tri Thien region from local artisans, such as the "Ly Giao Duyen," "Ly Ngua O," "Ly Doan Xuan," "Ly Quynh Tuong," and various "Ho" melodies like "Ho Hui Canh Duong," "Ho Khoi Ngu Thuy," "Ho Hai Thanh" (or "Nhu Le"), and "Ho Mai Nhi Trieu Hai."
Having acquired a "foundation" of Binh Tri Thien folk songs, Ms. Ly began seeking out people with good singing voices and graceful dancing skills in Don Due village to encourage them to join the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club. After completing the necessary paperwork, on July 26, 2021, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Linh district (formerly) granted permission to establish the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club. To date, the club has attracted 22 members and has added 4 students who practice with the club members.
Since its establishment, the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club has organized numerous Bai Choi performances to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) and other festivals. The Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club has also actively collaborated with several local schools to introduce Bai Choi to students. This activity aims to help students appreciate and cherish the Bai Choi art form.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa shared that, having been involved with the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club since its establishment, her main concern is the increasing number of older artists, while the number of young artists, students, and those who know how to sing Bai Choi is dwindling. Bai Choi art is facing competition from other high-tech, modern art forms, music , games, and entertainment. Most folk Bai Choi groups and clubs operate voluntarily. Teaching and transmission of Bai Choi in these clubs is limited, mainly focusing on teaching the songs within families, villages, or schools. Funding for the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club, as well as many other Bai Choi clubs, to maintain their activities currently comes primarily from member contributions.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hoang Thi Tinh, a member of the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club, believes that because there are no specific policies or mechanisms related to the preservation and promotion of the heritage value, as well as policies to support artisans to attract them to closely and long-term engage with the Bai Choi art form, its development still faces many difficulties. In reality, the Don Due Folk Song and Bai Choi Club has not had the resources to purchase equipment for Bai Choi activities or participate in training courses to learn, improve, and enhance their performance skills.
Despite the many challenges and ups and downs facing the art of Bài Chòi, the passionate and dedicated artists at the Don Due Bài Chòi Folk Song Club, as well as many other Bài Chòi clubs in the province, are always striving to preserve and pass on the value of this unique intangible cultural heritage.
Sy Hoang
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202606/tran-tro-voi-bai-choi-7f52e59/
