Cham dance

Fan dance at My Son relic site, photo by Mai Tam (1) — Fan dance at the My Son Sanctuary. Photo: MAI TAM

Building a well-structured team.

The traditional dance art that exists in the Cham community today is primarily folk dance. Since My Son was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1999, local authorities have had the idea of introducing Cham folk dance to be performed there.

The My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board established the Cham Folk Art Troupe and has been performing regularly for tourists since July 2004. Initially, the troupe had 11 performers, including 6 Cham artisans and performers from Ninh Thuan province. The troupe received guidance and training from folk culture researcher Hai Lien, folk artist Truong Ton, and other Cham artists.

Twenty years have passed, and the number of performers has now increased to 28; their main performances take place at the My Son Cham Folk Art Performance House.

The program includes performances such as: Cham village drumming, water-carrying dance, four traditional folk dances (developed by the Cham Folk Art Troupe of Ninh Thuan province from folk dances), saranai horn solo (transmitted by folk artist Truong Ton), Shiva tower dance (by Dang Hung), and Apsara dancers (choreographed by Tho Thai, music by Amu Nhan). Each day, the troupe usually performs 3 shows in the morning, 2 shows in the afternoon, and 2 shows at the G tower group.

In fact, although Cham dance and music have been performed in many places, when it takes place at My Son, it still evokes indescribable emotions in viewers. Perhaps the most significant difference is that this art form is performed in a valley setting with temple complexes and the performances of Cham artists and local actors.

Contributing to the promotion of heritage values.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet, Director of the My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board, said that introducing Cham dance performances at the My Son heritage site was a logical step. This aims to introduce Cham folk art to tourists, contributing to the promotion and preservation of the Cham community's culture. He added that while Cham dance is difficult to perform, finding skilled dancers is even more challenging.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, a former staff member of the Ninh Thuan Cham Culture Research Center, expressed: "Intangible cultural heritage creates appeal and revives the tradition, so Cham dance performances need to be promoted."

However, it's important to distinguish between purely folk excerpts and artistic creations, works of art. For example, the Shiva dance is not folk but was choreographed by artist Dang Hung with a solid foundation and creative merit; it needs explanation to help people understand."

Mr. Le Xuan Loi, Director of the Cham Culture Research Center of Ninh Thuan province, said: “There hasn't been any in-depth, specific research to know exactly how rituals and festivals took place here in the past. It cannot be confirmed that the 'Apsara Dance' was ever performed here, because it developed from theatrical performances…”

But it is certain that here, melodies praising the deities, spirit medium dances, and ceremonial music for rituals were once performed… Although the performers are not entirely Cham, what is more important is that the art meets the standards.”

In practice, this activity has spread to many Champa relics, such as performances at the Ponagar Tower in Nha Trang, the Twin Towers in Binh Dinh, the Cham Sculpture Museum in Da Nang, and Po Sa Inu in Binh Thuan ... This performance has also been featured in cultural activities of local communities in many places, as well as in France, South Korea, Japan, and Germany.

Over the past 20 years, folk art performances at My Son have included both traditional folk excerpts and creative works based on traditional materials by Cham artists. The performances feature a combination of Cham and local artisans and performers.

This activity has contributed to attracting domestic and international tourists, and to the preservation of the My Son relics. Cham folk culture has been promoted and passed down, contributing to the preservation of heritage and spreading the unique art of the Cham community today.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/vu-dieu-mua-cham-3143352.html