Binh Duong on-stage performing arts resilient contributions to tradition promotion

When various forms of entertainment culture intersect and influence each other, with a passion for art, cai luong artists strive to create, assert their position, persevere, and quietly contribute to the cultural flow of the nation.

A performance by the members of the provincial Theater Association of the Literature and Art Society in the Commemoration Ceremony of Vietnamese Theater Day.

According to composer Pham Dac Hien, Chairman of the provincial Literature and Art Association, Binh Duong is not the birthplace of Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern amateur music), but there have been talented individuals in the field of composition and stage performance. Specifically, artist Muoi Phu (Dong Hoa, Di An city) composed the piece "Ngu Khuc Long Phi"; artist Ut Bung (a musician of the monochord instrument, in Bung Lai Thieu market) composed the piece "Tay Thi Quang", a unique Don Ca Tai Tu song of Binh Duong.

During the golden age of cai luong theater, many playwrights from Binh Duong province composed famous cai luong plays that were staged by numerous cai luong troupes. Specifically, such as the playwright Quy Sac with the play "When the New Forest Comes to Autumn", "The Oath of the Thuy Garden"; the playwright Loan Thao with "The Love Story of Lan and Diep"; the playwright Moc Linh with "The Singing of Muong Tenh"; the playwright The Chau with "On the Silk Bridge"; and we cannot fail to mention the playwright Hoang Song Viet and the female playwright Nguyen Thu Phuong, who are also from Binh Duong.

In terms of musical instrument representation, Binh Duong has outstanding artist Nguyen Van Con (also known as Tu Con) with the title of Master of the Moon Lute; artist Nguyen Van Con (also known as Ba Con in Tan Dong Hiep, Di An city), who has created the famous silver string system on the concave keyboard guitar.

It can be said that, although Binh Duong Traditional Music came later to contributed to the art of Don Ca Tai Tu with many famous artists throughout the Southern provinces. They have actively contributed to the inheritance and promotion of the cultural identity of the local people, specifically in the Southern region in general.

In the 1980s, the people's artist Thu Hong, along with the outstanding artist Cao Thi Thang and the artist Kim Le Thy, were recognized as the three representative voices of traditional music in Binh Duong province at that time. Since 2015, Binh Duong has had 17 artists awarded titles by the President: 1 People's Artist and 16 Excellent Artists. Following the previous generations, Binh Duong has many artists who have won top prizes when participating in national Don Ca Tai Tu Festivals, Don Ca Tai Tu festivals of provinces in the South, or talent competitions such as Golden Rice, Golden Bell for Traditional Singing.

With their persistent and silent contributions, the artists have helped preserve and pass on the authentic melodies and songs to the younger generation today, enriching the culture of Binh Duong land and people.

Tran Minh Hai, a member of the provincial Literature and Art Association, and the chairman of the Bac Tan Uyen District Don Ca Tai Tu Club, said that despite the difficulties in activities due to reduced funding, the provincial Stage Association still maintains its activities through socialization. Recently, the provincial Stage Association has been regularly performing in various localities, thereby helping to spread the passion for ethnic art and also allowing members to gain more experience and improve their acting skills to better serve the increasing demand for ethnic music appreciation by the people.

Reported by Thuc Van – Translated by Vi Bao