The boy loves gong music.
(baonghean.vn)“We must learn to preserve the soul of the gong for our people…”, as he gently tapped the mallet on the gleaming gong knob, amidst the resounding echo of the largest gong, Truong Van Khang whispered…
Born in 1993, Truong Van Khang is a 9th-grade student at Nghia Lam Secondary School. He is the youngest son of Mr. Truong Xuan Ty, the 9th-generation clan leader of the Truong family of the Tho ethnic group in Yen Trung village (formerly known as Qua village), Nghia Lam commune, a remote mountainous area in Nghia Dan district (Nghe An province). He is passionate about the nearly 300-year-old ancient gong set that has been passed down through 9 generations of his family.
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Guided by his father (who was very knowledgeable and skilled in the traditional gong playing techniques of the Tho ethnic group) since his elementary school years, the spirit of the gong seemed to have seeped into his subconscious. Every day after school, besides helping his parents herd buffalo, Khang would beg his father to bring out the ancient gong set so he could practice.
The Tho ethnic group in western Nghe An province possesses a rich tradition of cultural and artistic heritage, preserved from generation to generation. Particularly noteworthy are four distinctive gong and drum music pieces with unique rhythms and performance techniques, used according to the content of annual festivals. These include Gong and Drum Piece One, Gong and Drum Two, Gong and Drum Three, and Gong and Drum Four...
Truong Van Khang is quite proficient in playing these gong pieces, especially the "Gong and Drum" piece, which he performs with great soul and skillful movements. He has performed the "Gong and Drum" piece several times for his friends at school events and celebrations, and each time he received enthusiastic applause from everyone.
“We must learn to preserve the soul of the gong for our people…”, as he gently tapped the mallet on the gleaming gong knob, amidst the resounding echo of the largest gong, Truong Van Khang whispered…
Text and photos: Le Ba Lieu
