Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Tra Vinh (VNS/VNA) - With the introduction ofmodern musical forms, the folk music of ethnic Khmer in the southern region hasencountered multiple problems retaining its popular status.
Khmer arts in thesouth have undergone a long process of development and created aunique identity. Khmer folk music has always been supported by locals since itcontains different types of music with melodies associated withthe rhythm of daily life, communal activities and festivals.
The variety of musical forms include thepentatonic orchestra, Mhory orchestra, wedding orchestra, Sadam drum performance, A day singing, and lullabies, among othercategories.
The music has been 'spiritual food' for theKhmer people for many generations.
Composer Thach Mu Ni from Tra Vinh province saidthat in the musical form Cham Rieng CHa Pay, the performer sings andplays CHa pay instruments at the same time.
The performer conducts singing as a way ofstorytelling with content sometimes filled with humour to excite theaudience.
The songs’ content is usually about fairy tales,myths and folklore that guide locals to be good people.
This special, expressive type ofperformance in 2013 was listed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismas a part of national intangible cultural heritage.
Another significant type of Khmer musicis A day, which involves singing in dialogue between men and women.
Though its most common form is a duetperformance, A day trio and quartet singing are often performedduring the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.
“Ethnic Khmer groups in the southhave inherited a priceless cultural heritage from their ancestors,” SonNgoc Hoang, vice principal of the Soc Trang province-based School of Cultureand Arts, said.
“Throughout history, Khmer musical instrumentscarry a positive meaning in the life of the Khmer community, enrichingtraditional Vietnamese music,” he adds.
Meanwhile, Meritorious Artist Thach Mo Ly fromCao Van Lau Theatre said that Khmer folk music should be preservedbecause folk music plays an important role in the life of ethnic Khmer insouthern provinces.
Fading through time
Despite its uniqueness, Khmer folk music hasbecome less popular due to the introduction of Western and more modernmusic genres.
Experts have agreed that some types ofethnic Khmer music are on the edge of losing their identity.
Meritorious Artist Thach Mo Ly said he isconcerned that the number of artists performing Khmer music hasdeclined throughout the years.
Fewer young people, especially ethnicKhmer, are interested in learning folk music, she said, adding that the lack ofresearch and promotion of Khmer music contributes to itsunpopular status.
Bui Cong Ba from the Department of Culture andInformation in Kien Giang province said that he has encounteredproblems due to limited funding, together with the lack of artists andinstruments.
Many Khmer pagodas in Kien Giang do not have asufficient number of folk musical instruments as well as cultural institutionsnecessary for the ethnic minority to thrive, he adds.
Pham Thi To Thy from Tra Vinh University saidthat though the University is the only official institution that has a courseon performing Khmer instrumental music, the number of people enrolled remains limited,with only 29 students between 2012 and 2019.
Thy said that authorities should carry outspecific measures to raise locals’ awareness about the urgency ofpreserving the beauty of Khmer music in southern provinces, especially inuniversities, art schools and other institutions.
The state should also call for investment torestore a number of special Khmer music types such as Cham rieng CHa pay,children's songs and lullabies, she said.
Conservation of ethnic Khmer music should gohand in hand with development of local tourism, she adds.
According to Vice Principal Hoang,preserving and promoting ethnic Khmer music is important in an era ofinternational integration.
Preserving the cultural values of Khmer musicrequires a policy that helps locals become truly aware of the preciousheritage that has been passed down by their ancestors./.
VNA