The honor and responsibility of the artisan

Holding the “ancient capital” of the intangible cultural heritage of their homeland, artisans in the province are now enthusiastic about preserving and promoting the value of traditional culture and art. From their passion and “keeping the fire” of their tradition, artisans are also an important factor in promoting community tourism, contributing to the development of the local economy and society.

People's Artist Do Thi Thanh Nhan performs Ca Tru art with members of Dao Dang Ca Tru Club, Pho Hien Ward.

Hung Yen is a province located on the left bank of the Red River, in the Northern Delta, bearing the cultural identity of the Red River Delta. Currently, the province has 56 artisans awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan (NNUT) by the State, 8 artisans awarded the title of People's Artisan (NNND) by the State in the field of intangible cultural heritage. In 2022, Meritorious Artist Do Thi Thanh Nhan, Head of the Dao Dang Ca Tru Club, Pho Hien Ward, was honored to be awarded the noble title of NNND. Since then, People's Artist Do Thi Thanh Nhan has always determined her great responsibility in actively contributing to preserving and teaching the art of Ca Tru. Currently, the Dao Dang Ca Tru Club has over 20 members, ranging in age from teenagers to the elderly, participating in regular activities on weekends. With experience from the process of being attached to classes to teach this art form, People's Artist Do Thi Thanh Nhan said: "Ca Tru is both deeply folk and learned in both music and lyrics, however, it is very picky about singers. Ca nuong must have a way of pronouncing a loud, deep, bouncy melody, blending with the sound of clappers, drums, and zithers in a rhythm and a pattern. Because Ca Tru has up to 5 stanzas, the artist must teach it in a way that is easy for students to understand, thereby increasing their love for this art form." People's Artist Thanh Nhan hopes that more and more classes will be held in localities across the province so that people, especially the younger generation, will know more about Ca Tru. With artist Nguyen Thi Nhan in A Sao commune, she still diligently teaches Bat Dat dance in Long Khe village every day. Regarding her involvement in the "village work", Mrs. Nhan said: Bat Dat dance originated from an ancient dance of the Vietnamese people, which was restored and passed down to their descendants by the elders in the village. There was a time when the performance of this dance was in danger of being lost, so I was supported by the local government, so I was determined to build a practice movement, mobilizing people to join hands to maintain two dance teams with different ages. While the dance team of students practiced enthusiastically in the summer months, the dance team of middle-aged women and girls had a more favorable free time to gather. The goal throughout the teaching process was that the village always had a next generation to preserve traditional art. From this activity, for many years, during the annual Long Khe temple festival, there has always been a program to perform the ancient Bat Dat dance.

Along with the activities of preserving and transmitting the "ancient capital" of their ancestors, artisans in the field of intangible cultural heritage are also positive factors contributing to promoting community tourism in the locality. Visiting the Cheo ancestral temple in Khuoc village, Dong Tien Hung commune, visitors are warmly welcomed by the artisans here. Stepping down from the stage after performing the tune "Van co tien" - a unique tune that often opens the village's performances, artisan Nguyen Thi Dien immediately started to guide visitors to practice singing in a round, clear way in the style of Khuoc villagers. The artisan said: Having learned Cheo since childhood through oral transmission, the artisans of the village are always eager to teach this art form. If in the past only descendants in Khuoc village could learn about the village's ancient Cheo tunes, now the artisans are enthusiastic about teaching the "ancient capital" to those who have a passion and wish to contribute to preserving Cheo. Along with the People's Artists, Meritorious Artists, and other artisans in the village, although not yet awarded noble titles, are aware of their important role in preserving and promoting Cheo to tourists.

Artists from Khuoc Cheo village, Dong Tien Hung commune, guide tourists to experience Cheo singing and dancing at the village's Cheo ancestral temple.

According to People's Artist Nguyen Dinh Bay, head of the Nguyen Xa Water Puppetry Troupe, Dong Hung Commune: When tourists come to visit and learn about the local traditional art, in addition to watching the art program including famous plays, they will also be shared by the artisans about the unique features of traditional water puppetry, especially the string puppetry that is the pride of the artisans here. The puppetry troupe's artisans focus on practicing and renewing the performance program, ready to welcome and serve tourists.

In the midst of modern life, despite the many concerns about how to “keep the fire” and “pass on the fire”, each artisan still carries within him a heart that respects the traditional art that generations of ancestors have painstakingly cultivated and passed on. Then, each artisan is like a strong “string” connecting the past with the present and the future, contributing to promoting the national cultural identity.

Tu Anh

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/vinh-du-va-trong-trach-cua-nghe-nhan-3185843.html