Folk songs at the foot of Kim Nhan peak
(Baonghean) - This fascinating field trip took me tirelessly through the lands along the river, listening intently to the songs of the working people who planted and plowed the fields. Passing through Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong, Do Luong... the car climbed several long slopes, reaching Anh Son, where we were captivated by the melodies and songs of the people beneath the majestic Kim Nhan peak…
(Baonghean) - This fascinating field trip took me tirelessly through the lands along the river, listening intently to the songs of the working people who planted and plowed the fields. Passing through Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong, Do Luong... the car climbed several long slopes, reaching Anh Son, where we were captivated by the melodies and songs of the people beneath the majestic Kim Nhan peak…
Mr. Nguyen Tat Thong (Hamlet 5, Thach Son Commune) asserted that the voices of the people of Anh Son singing folk songs are no less impressive than those from places considered the "ancient lands" of folk songs. "I have proof...", he cleared his throat, solemnly sat down at his "family heirloom" zither, and played the opening melody of the song "Deep Father-Son Love," then hummed:
Deep father-son bond
The teacher's contribution, then the mother's love.
Don't speak harshly about your reputation.
Don't take a long breath.
How should we talk to our parents?
Why did you have to tell my mother...?
His rich, deep voice and skillful, haunting playing made the song deeply moving. The vibrato, emphasis, pauses, and breath control were all performed naturally by this amateur artist, as if they came straight from his heart, without any forced effort. Seeing my surprised expression, Mr. Thong chuckled, saying, "That's how addictive the voice from Anh Son is!"
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| Singing practice session of the folk song club of Thach Son commune (Anh Son district). |
Mr. Nguyen Tat Thong is the head of the Folk Song Club in Thach Son commune. This position has been bestowed upon him by the local people for several years now, stemming from his deep understanding of the love this strong man has for the folk songs of his homeland. He says that while he says he loves folk songs, he has never actually tried to define what that love is, only that it has been deeply ingrained in him since he was 10 years old. “That was in 1967 and 1968, when the whole commune was enthusiastically participating in the movement of singing folk songs while excelling in production. My parents went to the fields during the day, and at night they would set up bamboo beds in the yard. With a single call, neighbors would gather around, dividing into groups to sing folk songs. One group would respond, the other would reply, until the moon reached its zenith, only then would the gathering end, with a lingering promise to meet again the next night…” – Mr. Thong recalled thoughtfully. At that time, young Nguyen Tat Thong was assigned the task of "supplying" water, and he was so captivated by folk songs that, on many days, he would absentmindedly drop cups and dishes, earning a few good beatings from his mother. His love for folk music grew stronger through the pure moonlit nights and the joys and sorrows of his childhood, and as a matter of course, young Nguyen Tat Thong joined the army, simultaneously undertaking training and combat duties while also taking on the role of an entertainer in his unit.
That was also the time when he composed his first works, which he himself admitted were still rudimentary and simple, only fulfilling the need to convey information and propaganda, but lacking rich artistic language. Later, after being discharged from the army and returning to his hometown, filled with genuine affection in the heart of his simple village, he truly realized that the abundant material for folk song composition was the arduous yet simple daily life of the working people of his homeland. His suites about harvest season, about bathing in the cool waters of the Lam River during his childhood, about faith in the springtime of good fortune... were enthusiastically received by the people of Thach Son commune, because the lyrics and melodies seemed to express their innermost feelings.
The people of Thach Son commune in particular, and Anh Son district in general, have never "forgotten" folk songs, and still cherish the melodies of the "vi" and "giam" styles. Although the old wood-burning and hat-making guilds are gone, the songs still resound in the fields during harvest season, and in the early days of spring and the new year. "And we don't just sing for happy occasions; we also sing to bid farewell during sad times and funerals... The "vi" and "giam" styles are so skillful; we can sing them anytime, and it brings us so much joy!" shared Mr. Nguyen Tat Thong. He enthusiastically pointed out that, without even mentioning the whole district, just in Thach Son commune alone, many people not only sing folk songs well but also compose new lyrics for ancient melodies very skillfully.
Mr. Bui Duc Vinh, a cultural officer in Thach Son commune, smiled when asked about his "hidden talent." "I can't even remember how many folk songs I've written, but generally, I write them for every festival and celebration in the commune to entertain the people. It's just amateur composition; luckily, I have a foundation in music theory learned in the military, so I have enough 'capital' to write," Mr. Vinh said softly. What's admirable about amateur musicians and singers in Anh Son like Mr. Vinh and Mr. Thong is that they not only hone their talents but also passionately teach folk songs to the younger generation in the area, hoping to keep the sweet folk music flowing. The Thach Son commune folk song club has 22 core members, with one-third being young people studying at junior and senior high schools. Every weekend, a small courtyard in the village becomes the gathering place for the club members. There, they practiced high notes with each other, passing on techniques for breath control and enunciation to best capture the essence of the Ví and Giặm folk songs.
By chance, I witnessed such a captivating practice session. The amateur singers, still retaining the rustic charm of farmers with muddy hands and feet, joyfully sang the rich, vigorous melodies of folk songs about labor and production. Amidst the singing and laughter, two pretty young girls stood out, enthusiastically following the rhythm of the zither and drums. "Those are the Na and Ánh sisters, key members of the club, and also the youngest members who have won many top prizes at festivals and performances," introduced Mr. Bùi Đức Vinh.
Phan Nguyen Le Na and Phan Thi Ngoc Anh, cousins, are both 15 years old this year. Their faces are bright, their eyes shyly smiling when asked, but they remain sincere and steadfast in their love for their homeland's folk songs. Le Na and Ngoc Anh recently won the A prize for their duet performance at the Thanh Chuong District Folk Song and Traditional Singing Competition, and before that, their list of achievements includes First Prize at the Nghe An Provincial Folk Song and Traditional Singing Festival in 2012, and a B prize in 2013... At 15 years old, they have already been singing folk songs and traditional singing for 6 or 7 years. The two sisters shared: “We are fortunate to have been born into a family in a region that loves folk songs. Our grandfather sings folk songs very well; from a young age, he taught us to sing songs like 'Ten Virtues of Parents'... Later, we joined the club and received much more guidance from Uncle Thong and Uncle Vinh.” Passionate about singing and playing musical instruments, Lê Na and Ngọc Ánh have never refused a performance opportunity, yet their academic achievements are truly remarkable. For many years in a row, they have been outstanding students at the district level, consistently achieving good or excellent grades each year. Their dream is to later enroll in a cultural and arts school to continue pursuing their passion for folk songs and traditional music. “Many people ask us why we sing such ‘old-fashioned’ music instead of modern pop. I don’t like being asked that, because folk music isn’t ‘old-fashioned,’ it’s still relevant, and especially, the lyrics in folk songs are rich in literary value. You might not have heard it yet, but once you do, you’ll be captivated!” – Ngọc Ánh said humorously.
And she began to sing... Her small, thin figure sat on a wide floral mat spread in the courtyard, lost in the melodies of folk songs, expressing anger and love. I looked at her, at the farmers bustling onto the mats to sing this afternoon, their feet still stained with the fresh mud from planting, and I was deeply moved by the simple yet noble love they held for their homeland's songs. It doesn't matter whether it's "ancient land" or "new land" for folk songs; as long as you're a child of this land, drinking the waters of the Lam River, eating the plump, fragrant white rice of Nghe An province, the essence of folk songs has become ingrained in your breath, an indispensable spiritual nourishment that enriches your life. I also recall the proud statistic from Mr. Nguyen Sy Tuong, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Anh Son district, that the district currently has 7 folk song clubs, actively operating and having won numerous awards at various levels. Not to mention the plan to simultaneously establish folk song clubs to "cover" the entire district, the folk songs of Ví and Giặm always have a strong and enduring vitality in the hearts of the people. "Folk songs have become a cultural source, creating a foundation and driving force contributing to the socio-economic development of our district. After the event on January 31st, when Nghệ Tĩnh Ví and Giặm folk songs are recognized as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, we are planning to organize a district-wide folk song honoring night. At that time, the clubs will gather in the town center to sing for the people until they are satisfied," Mr. Nguyễn Sỹ Tưởng confided.
The afternoon sun had long since faded. The small courtyard in Thach Son had fallen silent, devoid of the sounds of music and singing. Reluctantly, I bid farewell to the villagers and hurried back to town to catch the last bus of the day. Looking back, I saw, in the distance, behind the familiar undulating tiled roofs, a branch rising in a brilliant golden hue atop Kim Nhan mountain. Legend says that those fortunate enough to witness this mystical, dragon-shaped halo will feel their hearts transcend the mundane and receive blessings for eternity… These stories of tradition, of the eternal love for the beloved folk songs and melodies, are as sacred and wonderful as any legend!
Phuong Chi - Thu Huong
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