+ On VOV, there is a very unique program named after an individual who is working at the station. That program is named after you: “Tam Mai Van Lang - Tam Chuyen Dan Ca” and is now renamed “Doi Diao Dan Ca”. Can you share more about the program so that readers know?
- I am extremely happy because as VOV leaders said, in the 78 years of establishment (this year is preparing for 79 years), there has only been one program named after one person. The name of the program "Tam Mai Van Lang - Tam Chuyen Dan Ca" was not thought up by me but was suggested by VOV Deputy General Director Pham Manh Hung to the Music Department to build this program.
Why is it “Tam” and not “Tan”? Many listeners have asked and I have answered. Because, Southerners often say “Tam chuyen” instead of “Tan chit” which sounds a bit boyish and not very serious. I used the word “Tam chuyen” to make it different, then the audience gave their feedback so I changed it to “Doi dien dan ca”. This program has a very tight structure, almost like Mai Van Lang is the host of the program.
The program consists of two main sections: dialogue with the host, including 1-2 members of the Folk Song room who ask questions, Mai Van Lang answers social issues, mainly related to traditional music; dialogue between Mai Van Lang and listeners. I have a private number 0961349068 so that every Wednesday from 3pm to 4pm, listeners can call there. Callers can ask any questions related to culture, folk arts and folk music.
I will listen to the listeners’ questions and answers, then quote the answers and broadcast them on television, called a dialogue with the listeners. After that part is the news and events of traditional folk music that Mai Van Lang went and met. Especially, in the section where listeners ask through handwritten letters about problems in folk music (for example: want to ask artist A, artist B…, genre A, genre B about Cheo, Cai Luong…), Mai Van Lang will answer in more depth to serve the listeners.
Composer Mai Van Lang. Photo: NVCC
Another very interesting part is quizzes. Mai Van Lang answers quizzes such as: questions about a folk song, a folk singer or a traditional instrument... I am very happy that since January 1, 2022, the program has been on air and has been maintained for 2 and a half years now. The program has received positive feedback from the audience, friends, colleagues, lovers, and many people have given very careful comments, from which the program has become more and more loved.
+ The special thing about “Tam Mai Van Lang - Tam Chuyen Dan Ca” is that the program has no script, the entire content is very natural dialogue between Mai Van Lang and the editor or between Mai Van Lang and the audience. In the process of conducting dialogue with the audience, you must have encountered difficult situations?
- When we made the program “Tam Mai Van Lang – Tam Chuyen Dan Ca” and now “Doi Dialog Dan Ca”, we did not have a script. I wanted the knowledge that I had gained in 30 years of being attached to Dan Ca, to Cheo… to be released and indeed released a lot. Many listeners asked very good questions and I tried to answer with the knowledge I had accumulated. For example, some listeners asked about Thuy Kieu, is singing Cheo Tau singing Chinese Cheo? Or why Cheo has not been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage representing humanity...
Honestly, fortunately, since I was young, Mai Van Lang has tried to accumulate knowledge by reading books, listening to opinions from friends, previous generations… and this program is very suitable for what I have. Folk songs are my love, so I can answer the questions of the audience relatively easily.
My hope is to help listeners understand and love folk songs more, know more about cultural regions, artists, artisans and art forms. Because of that, my knowledge is gradually improved, and the knowledge of folk songs of listeners to the program is also improved.
+ Very unique and special, but “Tam Mai Van Lang” is also a type of program that is not easy to make. What is the secret to making such an attractive program, sir?
- This is indeed a difficult but interesting program. There are many questions that listeners ask me that are very difficult to answer, even giving up and asking for a number to supplement their knowledge before answering later. Don't think that listeners don't have knowledge, many listeners are very good, even many PhDs, journalists, teachers... call me to ask questions as a listener. Therefore, in the process of receiving listeners, I also owe many questions. There are also many cases where listeners come up with questions as a challenge, twisting Mai Van Lang. For example, there are listeners who ask why it is called Folk Songs and Traditional Music, but only see the lyrics of folk songs but no music... Those are very interesting things in my profession.
To create an attractive program, I think the most important secret is to understand the audience, understand what they need and want. To understand, you must first put yourself in the position of the audience to know how to ask and answer to satisfy them. I myself often listen to VOV colleagues chat, read newspapers of friends and colleagues everywhere and especially always listen to listeners, read letters sent by listeners. Recently, I read via email and now I read via the social networking platforms I am using. I have a relatively good grasp of what the audience asks and what they want.
I also traveled to many places to accumulate knowledge. Therefore, I understand the psychology of the audience, so when they ask questions, I can almost answer everything. I also choose to speak in a simple way, not using any lofty language, speaking words and meanings, or speaking in metaphors, but speaking sincerely, from the heart to the heart.
I talk to the audience with my heart and love. Just start to generate love in yourself and the person you are talking to will surely feel it. I think that is the factor that makes the program more attractive.
Writer Mai Van Lang interviewed a Co Tu ethnic artist during a trip to the Central Highlands. Photo: NVCC
+ Not only is he a journalist, the person who conducts the program on VOV, he is also considered an ambassador connecting and spreading rowing across the country. What do you think about that comment?
- The word ambassador is very good but I am just a connector. I connect individuals with the art of Cheo, the people and connect VOV's traditional folk music program with the people. Those two connections are one, one but two.
That connection is in many aspects, firstly, as a journalist/reporter, I go to the localities, the countryside to meet and talk with the people, then record their emotions, singing voices, playing instruments, and their performances and roles. Secondly, as a composer, I always write new lyrics, write Cheo songs, write folk songs for the people to sing and meet together. Thirdly, as a researcher, when I go to those countrysides, I meet and learn about Cheo through the villages, through the people. Fourthly, as an event organizer, I go to interact with the people, even directly participate in some programs, direct those programs.
On a personal level, I am also a media person on social media platforms such as Youtube, Tiktok, Facebook... With those 5 roles, people call me an ambassador, because I keep going from one rural area to another to spread folk songs to everyone.
+ Thank you, author Mai Van Lang!
Dinh Trung (Recorded)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/soan-gia-nha-bao-mai-van-lang-lan-toa-dan-ca-cho-moi-nguoi-post300197.html
Comment (0)