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The Saranai Trumpet in the Tower of Sunlight

The image that makes tourists unforgettable every time they visit the Ponagar Tower relic site (Nha Trang), in addition to the thousand-year-old ancient architecture, is also the colorful cultural world of Champa.

Báo Thanh niênBáo Thanh niên12/09/2025

On the tower yard, musicians diligently play Saranai trumpets, Paranung drums, Ginang drums... leading dancers in charming, magical dances like the flames of time dancing in the sun and wind of Nha Trang.

In that harmony, the Saranai sound of a man wearing a scarf and a red rope hat rose up, clear and mournful, sometimes like a confession, sometimes like a call echoing from the depths of history. That person was Dang Xuan Ky.

Tiếng kèn Saranai nơi tháp nắng - Ảnh 1.

Kadhar Ky plays the Saranai trumpet to perform for tourists at Po Nagar Tower - Nha Trang

Growing up in the village, learning music , learning to be a teacher...

Born in 1993 in Phuoc Dong village, Phuoc Hau commune (Ninh Phuoc district, old Ninh Thuan province, now Khanh Hoa province), Ky grew up in a dense Cham cultural space. After finishing high school, his love for traditional music led him to find artisans in the area, learning most of the Cham musical instruments: Saranai trumpet, Paranung drum, Ginang drum, Kanhi... The young man quickly became a performing artist in major festivals such as Rija Nâgar, Kate, Kak Ghak Kak Limah...

Belonging to the Kadhar sect, and having a grandfather who was the master of ceremonies at Po Klong Garai tower, Ky was qualified to be trained as a Kadhar master - a respected position in the community. Becoming a dignitary not only required the right lineage but also the approval of the elders and dignitaries in the village. When he was officially appointed as "Ton Chuc", the village held a celebration for three days and three nights.

Tiếng kèn Saranai nơi tháp nắng - Ảnh 3.

Master Kadahr Ky and the elders consider the preparations for the procession of Y Trang from Phuoc Dong village to Po Kllong Grai tower during the Kate ceremony.

Attached to Ponagar tower

The opportunity to bring Ky to Ponagar Tower - Nha Trang to perform for tourists was a big turning point. In the history of generations of musicians and dancers here, he is the only one to have the title of Kadhar teacher. This job means leaving the village, family, wife and children to work all year round, only having about a week off during the Kate festival, or only having a few days to visit home every two months.

Since 2017, regardless of the sun, rain, or sea breeze of the four seasons, Ky has been diligently playing the Saranai flute, beating the Paranung drum, Ginang drum, and bringing Cham music to tens of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists with his colleagues.

Tiếng kèn Saranai nơi tháp nắng - Ảnh 4.

Kadahar Ky plays Ginang drum with his partner at Thap Ba - Nha Trang

Many tourists will always remember his gentle, kind smile; some, after many years, still come back to find the trumpet player. There have even been violin, guitar, flute, etc. artists who spontaneously played along with Ky, creating an emotional moment of cultural harmony.

Tiếng kèn Saranai nơi tháp nắng - Ảnh 5.

Master Kadahar Ky offers prayers to help people attend the Po Nagar Temple Festival - Nha Trang

Cham music, according to him, is rich and constantly changing: sometimes gentle and melancholy, sometimes lively and exciting, sometimes mysterious and ghostly. To meet the diverse tastes of tourists, he always studies and researches to improve his techniques. Each performance, for Ky, is an opportunity to bring the beauty of Cham culture closer to the community.

Few people know that behind the bright smile on the tower yard are silent worries: being a father but being away from his wife, children, and parents for a long time; being unable to be there to help when someone in the family is sick; the struggle for survival piles up sadness. But above all, Ky still keeps the Saranai sound as clear and fresh as his soul.

When asked about his biggest dream, he only hopes that in his hometown of Phan Rang - Thap Cham, the Po Klong Garai tower cluster will have a performance model like the Ponagar Tower, so that Cham artists will have another stage to introduce their ethnic culture.

Tiếng kèn Saranai nơi tháp nắng - Ảnh 6.

Master Kadhar Ky dances to celebrate his enlightenment

Every day, on the Ponagar Tower grounds, Kadhar Ky still devotes himself completely to Cham music and culture, without any attachment. For him, passion has become a reason for living, perseverance a virtue, and the sound of the Saranai flute has become a bridge between the past and the present.

The fifth Living Well Writing Contest was held to encourage people to write about noble actions that have helped individuals or communities. This year, the contest focused on praising individuals or groups that have performed acts of kindness, bringing hope to those in difficult circumstances.

The highlight is the new environmental award category, honoring works that inspire and encourage action for a green, clean living environment. Through this, the Organizing Committee hopes to raise public awareness in protecting the planet for future generations.

The contest has diverse categories and prize structure, including:

Article categories: Journalism, reportage, notes or short stories, no more than 1,600 words for articles and 2,500 words for short stories.

Articles, reports, notes:

- 1 first prize: 30,000,000 VND

- 2 second prizes: 15,000,000 VND

- 3 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND

- 5 consolation prizes: 3,000,000 VND

Short story:

- 1 first prize: 30,000,000 VND

- 1 second prize: 20,000,000 VND

- 2 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND

- 4 consolation prizes: 5,000,000 VND

Photo category: Submit a photo series of at least 5 photos related to volunteer activities or environmental protection, along with the name of the photo series and a short description.

- 1 first prize: 10,000,000 VND

- 1 second prize: 5,000,000 VND

- 1 third prize: 3,000,000 VND

- 5 consolation prizes: 2,000,000 VND

Most Popular Prize: 5,000,000 VND

Prize for Excellent Essay on Environmental Topic: 5,000,000 VND

Honored Character Award: 30,000,000 VND

The deadline for submissions is October 16, 2025. The works will be evaluated through the preliminary and final rounds with the participation of a jury of famous names. The organizing committee will announce the list of winners on the "Beautiful Life" page. See detailed rules at thanhnien.vn .

Organizing Committee of the Beautiful Living Contest

Tiếng kèn Saranai nơi tháp nắng - Ảnh 7.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tieng-ken-saranai-noi-thap-nang-185250911112650913.htm


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