Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh

"Singing over the bombs"

The birth of the Khmer Anh Binh Minh Art Troupe marked a turning point in the traditional Khmer stage art. The performances and art programs built by the Troupe are always associated with the content of solidarity and uprising against the US - puppet, with many genres of poetry, written literature, Du Ke scripts based on ancient plays, folk tales that have been adapted, truly reflecting the life, fighting, building and defending the homeland of the local ethnic people.

“Chuoi chhai” dance performance by the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh at the performance in Vam Ray hamlet, Ham Tan commune, Tra Cu district on March 9, 2025.

The artists of the Group were not only "warriors on the cultural front" bringing songs to the public, but were also truly armed soldiers, fighting against enemy sweeps, sticking with the people to do propaganda work, mobilizing the masses; marching deep into strategic hamlets to perform for the people who were being held back by the enemy, bravely using loudspeakers to direct the enemy's posts to call on the wise soldiers to return to the cause.

The achievements of the Union during this period were awarded by Tra Vinh Provincial Military Command with a rotating flag with the words "Singing over the sound of bombs" in 1973; the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam awarded the Second Class Liberation Medal (1973) and 02 Third Class Liberation Medals (1975).

After the country was unified, the Anh Binh Minh Art Troupe changed its name to the Anh Binh Minh Khmer Art Troupe. When Vinh Long and Tra Vinh provinces merged into Cuu Long province, the Anh Binh Minh Troupe became the Khmer Art Troupe of Cuu Long province. In 1992, Cuu Long province split into two provinces, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh, and the Troupe returned to Tra Vinh province.

Mr. Thach Set (Meritorious Artist Sang Set, born in 1952, residing in Ward 7, Tra Vinh City) who was the acting Head of the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh recalled that in the years after liberation, the Troupe encountered many difficulties, with little remuneration, not enough to cover living expenses. Meanwhile, artists had to spend a lot on cosmetics and costumes to transform into roles on stage. Artists, actors, and musicians in the Troupe encouraged each other to try to overcome difficulties, promote revolutionary traditions, and steadfastly "stick with the Troupe" to fulfill their mission.

Artists Thach Ngoc Xuan and Thach Thi Tuyet in the play "The Love Story of Via Sa Na" at the performance in Vam Ray Hamlet, Ham Tan Commune, Tra Cu District on the night of March 9, 2025.

At this time, in addition to performing domestic art programs, the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh was sent by the Party and State to serve the Cambodian people and soldiers in the border provinces to protect the Fatherland. During the "open door" period, entering the bewildered market economy, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee continued to support the Troupe to change its operating methods to suit the general development trend of the country. In addition to performances serving political tasks, the Troupe also organized performances with revenue to improve living standards.

Nowadays, most of the artists who founded and contributed to the Khmer Anh Binh Minh Art Troupe during the resistance war are no longer around, but the glorious feats and spirit of the generation of artists who "play the guitar and shoot" years ago still resonate, nurturing national pride, giving strength to today's generation of artists in preserving and promoting the national cultural identity of the Khmer people, helping the Khmer Anh Binh Minh Art Troupe to develop more and more sustainably.

"Fueling" the love of Khmer culture

In recent times, the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh Tra Vinh has continuously created plays with high artistic value to meet the tastes of the people. Up to now, the Troupe has created nearly 100 Du Ke stage plays, over 200 mixed music and dance performances. Currently, the Troupe regularly performs for domestic and international delegations; organizes tours in remote areas, Khmer Theravada Buddhist pagodas... inside and outside the province to serve the people of all ethnic groups.

During the recent 3-night tour of the troupe in Vam Ray hamlet, Ham Tan commune, Tra Cu district, Mrs. Thach Thi Nho, 63 years old, Ham Tan commune said that she and her husband make a living by selling vegetables in the market. Although life is busy and difficult, every time they hear that the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh is coming to the hamlet to perform, the couple takes the opportunity to clean up their vegetable stall early to go home. After 6 pm, they are at the performance venue, choosing seats to fully enjoy the troupe's program, which lasts from 7-11 pm/night.

A scene from the Du Ke stage play “The Love Story of Via Sa Na” performed by the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh for the audience at Vam Ray Hamlet, Ham Tan Commune, Tra Cu District on the night of March 9, 2025.

Not only do the elderly want to enjoy their ethnic traditional arts, the performances in remote areas also attract many young Khmer people and children to come and watch.

Tran Thi So Phe, 15 years old, from Vam Ray hamlet, said that since the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh performed locally, she has followed her grandmother to watch every time. When the artists sang, sang, and spoke in Khmer, her national pride arose. Through the plays and stories, she has come to understand more about the history, traditions, and beauty of Khmer culture. She has become more and more appreciative of her roots and loves her ethnic culture.

Meritorious Artist Thach Sung, Head of the Khmer Art Troupe Anh Binh Minh, said that tours to remote areas and areas with Khmer ethnic minorities always bring a lot of emotions to the artists in the troupe. Thousands of eyes attentively enjoy each performance each night, the warm, loving, admiring feelings, the applause, the tears of nostalgia when the artists say goodbye and leave... are a great source of encouragement for the artists to become more and more attached and "passionate about their profession", constantly creating, cultivating expertise and professionalism to tirelessly contribute to Khmer art.

“What I appreciate most is that the shows in remote areas today have many young men, women and children coming to watch. This proves that we are not simply performing arts but also have the mission of nurturing and "igniting" the love of Khmer culture for the younger generation; contributing to preserving, conserving and spreading the traditional cultural values ​​of the Khmer people,” Meritorious Artist Thach Sung confided.

Head of Administration - General Department, Anh Binh Minh Khmer Art Troupe Tran Van Dai said that the troupe currently has about 40 staff members, with many generations of actors; every year, it performs nearly 100 shows at home and abroad, of which about 30 shows serve political tasks. In addition, the troupe also does filming for regional and local TV stations, each year from 2-3 plays and 2-3 music and dance programs to serve the artistic enjoyment needs of TV viewers.

The contributions of the Khmer Anh Binh Minh Tra Vinh Art Troupe have been recognized by the Central and local governments and awarded many medals, certificates of merit, and certificates of merit; of which, 09 artists were awarded the title of Meritorious Artist... In particular, in 2000, the Khmer Anh Binh Minh Art Troupe was honored to be awarded the title of "Labor Hero in the Renovation Period" by the President.

Article and photos: THANH HOA

Source: https://www.baotravinh.vn/van-hoa-the-thao/doan-nghe-thuat-khmer-anh-binh-minh-noi-tiep-lua-tinh-yeu-van-hoa-khmer-44785.html