(Baonghean.vn) - Xuan Thanh Commune (Yen Thanh) has Ke Gam village, famous for its art of Tuong singing. No one knows when Tuong first appeared in this land. It is also possible that this fertile land with its mountains and rivers has produced many talented people, who traveled to many places and then brought back their works. Over the ups and downs of time, Tuong has not faded away, but has been inherited and developed forever.
One day recently, returning to Ru Gam - Dinh River, we visited Gam Pagoda (Chi Linh Pagoda) and enjoyed Tuong and Cheo right in the pagoda yard.
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Gam Pagoda Gate |
Many ancient plays such as "Luu Binh - Duong Le"; "Son Hau De Nhi"; "Luc Van Tien - Kieu Nguyet Nga", "Under the flag of great righteousness" (ie the play Trung Trac - Trung Nhi), "Tong Tran Cuc Hoa"... were performed by amateur actors of Ke Gam village during village festivals, holidays, and Tet, captivating people not only in the village and commune but also in neighboring communes.
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Ancient Gam Pagoda roof |
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Monk Thich Tue Minh guides a young monk to greet visitors to the temple. |
Now, during each Gam Temple Festival (from February 14 to 16 of the lunar calendar), in addition to learning about Buddhism, attending the lantern festival, praying for peace and salvation, participating in Buddhist and Taoist activities, visitors can also enjoy traditional opera performances - an indispensable part of the festivals in Gam village.
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Xuan Thanh Tuong Club reviews the script before the performance |
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Mr. Phan Van Cung, Xuan Thanh Tuong Club, performs a role in an excerpt of the play "My Chau - Trong Thuy" |
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The orchestra of "country artists" coordinated well. |
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The play was performed right in front of the ancient Ke Gam pagoda, evoking strong emotions in the audience. |
Nearby, Lang Thanh commune - an ancient land - used to be the headquarters of Hoan Dien region on the ancient land of Quy Lang, is also the place to preserve the Cheo singing tradition. Perhaps, the mandarins from the capital came here to rule under the king's orders and brought with them many unique cultural features of the ancient Kinh Bac culture. Among them, there are also famous Cheo melodies. Therefore, it is interesting that we can encounter a whole countryside singing Cheo in Lang Thanh commune. Here, from the elderly to the young people can sing Cheo and perform very fluently, imbued with a Cheo culture of Nghe An.
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Ms. Hoang Thi Loan (Lang Thanh Commune Cheo Club) performs an excerpt from Cheo "Luu Binh - Duong Le" |
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The sound of cheo melodies echoes throughout the ancient temple area. |
Tran Hai