Ca tru (ceremonial singing), recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, continues to be a cherished and integral part of Vietnamese culture. Bridging past and present, this art form is thriving in Hai Phong city.
The Ca Tru Club at Nguyen Van To Primary School
Each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon, the members of the Nguyen Van To Primary School Ca tru Club gather to practice singing and playing clappers. Their performances, while not always technically perfect, are infused with passion.
The Ca tru club of Nguyen Van To Primary School, established over a year ago, now has more than 40 students.
According to the club’s director, music teacher Bui Thi La, the young club members remain highly enthusiastic despite the challenges of mastering Ca tru.
The students, used to contemporary music and digital technology, initially found the traditional art form strange, La said.
However, thanks to the wholehearted instruction from professional artists and teachers, they have developed a passion for Ca tru, diligently study it, and have confidently performed it at the Hai Phong opera house, cultural heritage events, and inter-provincial exchanges, La said.
She added that the most challenging aspect of traditional music is the rhythm. While lyrics can be imitated, traditional music often incorporates both internal and external beats.
“Unlike modern music, which typically uses only internal beats, Ca tru has many external beats, making it particularly difficult to learn. Effective teaching involves isolating each beat and ensuring mastery before proceeding to the next,” La elaborated.
The Hai Phong Ca Tru Guild performs at Hang Kenh communal house.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed a flourishing of Ca tru performance halls and guilds in Hai Phong city. Dong Mon village (now Hoa Binh ward) is widely considered the cradle of Ca tru in the northern costal region.
Despite periods of decline, Ca tru is experiencing a resurgence in Hai Phong, thanks to government support and the unwavering dedication of local artisans.
Meritorious Artist Do Quyen, head of the Hai Phong Ca tru Guild, has been instrumental in this revival.
“We have been restoring Ca tru since 1993, working with senior artists to pass the tradition down through generations. The Hai Phong Ca tru Guild was the first to revive communal house singing. We have collaborated with the National Institute of Culture and Arts to develop a program that standardizes Ca tru rhythms based on the performances of master artists,” said Quyen.
Hai Phong’s cultural scene is enriched by numerous Ca tru clubs, including those in Dong Mon, An Bien, and the Ngo Quyen District Cultural Center.
In addition to Nguyen Van To Primary School, Ca tru is taught at Hoa Binh Primary and Secondary School and the Hai Phong College of Culture and Arts.
Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, acclaimed as "Vietnam's finest Ca tru singer," leads the Hai Phong Traditional Folk Arts Club, nurturing and training the next generation of Ca tru artists.
“My greatest joy is working with the younger generations, who share a deep love for this art form. This passion extends to their families, who also cherish Ca tru and traditional arts. Their intelligence and quick learning abilities are truly remarkable,” said Hang.
The dedication of artisans in teaching and preserving Ca tru, coupled with the enthusiasm of younger generations, ensures its continued relevance in modern life. Thus, each spring, the melodies of Ca tru resonate as a testament to Vietnam's enduring cultural heritage.
Thanh Nga
VOVWORLD - vovworld.vn - Feb 15, 2025
