Boldness in perfume and beauty of Binh Duong “don ca tai tu”

Despite going through many ups and downs, Binh Duong's “don ca tai tu” (southern folk opera) still has a strong vitality and spread strongly in many playgrounds in the province. Professional artists and amateurs have made great efforts in building, maintaining and transmitting the typical folk art form of the Southern land, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of mankind from activities to spread fire in the locality to exchange programs everywhere.

Full of gratitude

On rainy and stormy days, having the opportunity to meet with professional artists, amateurs and enjoy “don ca tai tu”, I felt extremely warm. This was because professional artists, amateurs did not mind the long distance, cold rain in order to come to Binh Duong for exchanging sweet melodies to transmit each other the motivation to keep the passion fire.

An item "Thu cam ca” (Passion in singing) was being performed by Van Ut, Ngoc Cua, Hong Tham, and Viet Khai from Binh Duong “don ca ta tu” club

The stage at the hall of Binh Duong Fine Arts - Culture Junior College on that day welcomed many guests from Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces. They gave each other with sincere greetings. When the music was played with lyrics hummed in harmony, everyone was happy. Impressively opening with the item of "Thu cam ca” (Passion in singing) performed by Van Ut, Ngoc Cua, Hong Tham and Viet Khai from Binh Duong “don ca tai tu” club, the program aroused excitement in each heart of the audience.

Following the program, amateur singer Dinh Phuoc from Colorful “don ca tai tu” club from Binh Phuoc province’s Dong Xoai city performed the item of “Ve Binh Duong” (Visiting Binh Duong). He wanted to have the opportunity to come to Binh Duong to sing a song as a souvenir that he had cherished for a long time. Now being able to perform "Visiting Binh Duong" in front of talented amateurs, professional artists, and people's artisans made him more satisfied. Binh Duong plays “do ca tai tu” very methodically...", Mr. Phuoc added.

As for the amateur singer Ngoc Huong fom Phuong Nam “don ca tai tu” club in Dong Nai province’s Long Thanh district, the musicians in the program  were very well, so she felt very self confident and full of emotions when performing her items. "I wish time would stop here to be immersed in the wonderful five-tone melodies", Ngoc Huong shared.

Talking to us, people's artisan Thu Hong from Binh Duong “don ca tai tu” club said that the "Binh Duong - Binh Phuoc - Dong Nai" exchange program was organized by provincial Association of Literature and Arts. Contributing to the program were 3 units, namely Binh Duong “don ca tai tu” club, Colorful “don ca tai tu” club from Binh Phuoc province’s Dong Xoai city and Phuong Nam “don ca tai tu” club from Dong Nai province’s Long Thanh district. Through the program, members of the clubs had the opportunity to exchange and learn from each other about the performance skills and activities of the local “don ca tai tu” activities. The program contributed to tightening solidarity between amateurs and professional artists to encourage each other to promote the unique values ​​of the art form recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Connecting passion hearts

Getting excited when welcoming two units to participate in the exchange program, outstanding artisan Nguyen Van Sang, Chairman of provincial Cultural Center's “don ca tai tu” club said that over the past few days, Binh Duong “don ca tai tu” club also had exchanges in other localities, full of memories. Recently, there have been exchanges in Dong Thap, Binh Phuoc, Ho Chi Minh city... Especially, many professional artists and amateurs in Binh Duong also participated in the program "Reunion of don ca tai tu" organized by Ho Chi Minh city’s Radio – Television Station.

In addition, there are now many attractive contests and festivals on “don ca tai tu” in the province, attracting a large number of contestants and spectators to watch and cheer. Although being not as popular as in the past, the flow of passion and pervasive power in the playgrounds is still strong.

On Ho Van Men, Cach Mang Thang Tam streets in Thuan An city, many “singing together" shops often have many amateurs and professional artists coming to exchange. Here, they not only freely express their passion, but also have the opportunity to listen to sincere suggestions from the audience to be able to sing better. At these stages, there are very potential vocalists sometimes.

Amateur singer Kim Anh from Thuan An city’s “don ca tai tu” club said that at the program "Street music" in the 2023 "Lai Thieu in ripe fruit season" festival, the unit had the opportunity to perform to serve many tourists. Among them, many amateurs spontaneously participated in exchanging and sang very well. To connect with these potential vocalists, the club visited and recorded their phone numbers, invited them to practice regularly with it to participate in exchanges with other units.

Reported by Thuc Van-Translated by Kim Tin