Unique family art troupe

(Baonghean) - Tall members of the bandfolk songsThey are the wife, husband, father, children, grandfather and grandchildren in the family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thai in hamlet 5, Boi Son commune (Do Luong).

Coming to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thai’s house, many people were surprised by the bustling atmosphere, bustling with the sounds of drums, clappers, lutes, flutes and sweet Vi and Giam singing. They were even more surprised to know that all the members of that “band” were members of one big family.

Clip of the whole family singing the song "Inviting Betel":

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thai (80 years old) is a lover of folk songs, and has been familiar with the performances and plays at the village temple since childhood. She can not only sing Vi and Giam, but also many other folk songs such as Tuong and Cheo. Mr. Nguyen Canh Truat (86 years old), Mrs. Thai's husband, is the head priest of Qua Son temple. In his youth, he was also a famous Tuong singer in the area. Now, he is a great drummer. He is proficient in playing drums, two-stringed fiddles, and several other musical instruments.

Mrs. Thai shared: “Everyone in my family loves performing arts, playing drums, playing the zither, singing… we can do it all. Singing brings joy to the family, sings to forget about age and illness. We eagerly wait for the day of cultural exchange.”

Mr. Nguyen Canh Dung (55 years old) is the third child of the family, jokingly called by the villagers as the farmer who loves the arts. He has an innate talent for musical instruments, can play many different types of musical instruments and is most proficient at mandolin. In addition, Mr. Dung also has a very good voice for singing folk songs. Although his job as a construction worker is quite hard, after each tiring day of work, he returns to be friends with the guitar, with its deep and humming melodies.

Currently, Mrs. Thai's family has 3 members who are members of the Boi Son Commune Folk Song Club. Mrs. Thai and Mr. Truat are the oldest members of the club. In addition, Nguyen Canh Luong (18 years old) - Mr. Dung's son, currently in grade 12 at Do Luong 2 High School, is also a famous artist.

Luong loves pop music, but can still sing folk songs, and is a stylish drummer who has won many drumming prizes in high school competitions. Luong’s mother said: “My father is like my son, he loves the arts but mainly sings at school and in class, but at home he only occasionally collaborates with his grandfather and father to accompany everyone. Luong is my grandmother’s “advisor” every time she practices for competitions.”

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thai's family. Photo: Huy Thu

Mrs. Thai's house has a whole orchestra to serve the family's and neighbors' cultural activities, including many types of musical instruments: guitar, mandolin, drum, two-stringed fiddle, monochord, flute, trumpet, clapper... These instruments are carefully kept in a corner of the house, only brought out during cultural activities.

Mrs. Thai said that seeing that her parents and everyone in the family loved the arts, one of their sons bought these instruments. With the addition of an orchestra, the house became more lively, and sometimes everyone in the house gathered together to play and sing. People in the neighborhood who loved the arts also came to join in the fun. When attending folk music club activities, Mr. Truat and Mr. Dung brought these instruments with them.

For the people of Hamlet 5, Mrs. Thai's family is an open-minded family with neighbors, not only loving the arts but also valuing loyalty. Mr. Dau Xuan Luong, the head of Hamlet 5, said: "Mrs. Thai's family is a typical example of the hamlet, enthusiastically participating in local movements, especially the arts movement. As a famous performer in the past, now singing folk songs, Mrs. Thai is always willing to pass on her knowledge to the younger generations.

Her family has created very favorable conditions for the hamlet's art troupe, from lending musical instruments to borrowing the house and yard for the team to practice. The spirit of the movement and collective activities of Mrs. Thai's family has been recognized and admired by the cadres and people here.

As a typical member of the Boi Son Commune Folk Song Club, Mrs. Thai’s family has participated in many Vi and Giam Folk Song Festivals at all levels, contributing to the overall success of the Club. Some performances by the couple were highly appreciated by the judges.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - cultural officer of Boi Son commune - excellent artist, head of the commune folk song club affirmed: "Mrs. Thai's family has a tradition of performing arts, all members love and are passionate about traditional culture, including folk songs. Their activities have a positive meaning in contributing to making folk songs increasingly spread and promoting the local art movement".

Huy Thu