Artisans strive to preserve and develop traditional musical instruments

Although he is over 70 years old, Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van continues to pass on his passion to the younger generation and those who love folk songs and traditional musical instruments. He is one of the artisans who is making efforts to contribute to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the ethnic minorities in Dien Bien province.

It is known that Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van is a Thai ethnic, born in Muong Chieng commune, Son La province, but in 1975, he worked in the armed forces in the Northwest region, Lai Chau province (after the province was split, now Dien Bien province), as a member of the art troupe. After many years of working closely with this land, he decided to become a son of Dien Bien land.

Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van performs with Mong flute at the 10th anniversary of Hua Thanh commune

Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van shared: "In the Northwest, everywhere is my homeland, so I decided to live in Dien Bien Phu city because this is a land with historical and heroic marks. In this city, I am participating in a class teaching traditional musical instruments. We artisans hope not only to preserve cultural identity, but also to spread that beauty to the people of Dien Bien, as well as tourists coming to this land."

Besides, one of the important reasons that made him choose this place to stay long-term was that in 1978, his art troupe was honored to perform when General Vo Nguyen Giap visited Dien Bien.

"At that time, I used traditional musical instruments such as the pip pap, the khen be, and the tinh tau to perform. After each performance, I received many rounds of applause and compliments from General Vo Nguyen Giap, central and local leaders, and everyone. That made me feel very happy and proud, and became a source of encouragement for me to devote myself to music. Therefore, I am willing to contribute my small efforts to the work of preserving culture and building my homeland" - Meritorious Artist Hai Van expressed.

With his innate talent and passion, the melodies of his homeland have gradually permeated the personality of Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van and have been with him throughout his long journey. Up to now, he can skillfully use musical instruments: the two-stringed fiddle, the one-stringed pi pap of the Black Thai, the double-stringed pi pap of the White Thai, the quintet, the Mong flute, and the panpipe. But not stopping there, artisan Hai Van still constantly cultivates, learns, preserves, and researches many other musical instruments.

When asked what made him learn and study so many musical instruments, Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van shared: "The sounds and melodies of folk songs have been closely associated with the lives of the villagers and are indispensable to our people. Pi pap is a musical instrument that is the crystallization of love, the soul of folk music and dance, a unique cultural and spiritual symbol of the Thai ethnic group. With this instrument, our community entrusts the optimistic spirit and life philosophies of our people; or with the Tinh Tau lute, which can be played solo, in chorus and used for love songs, folk dances on happy days, big holidays and spring festivals of the Muong village... This is also the soul and unique features of our people. Therefore, I want to preserve and pass it on, so that the cultural identity of our people will not fade away."

Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van teaches the Tinh Tau musical instrument.

Along with that, not only is he proficient in using traditional musical instruments, but he also develops the rhythm to make the music and melodies beautiful and suitable for the present to pass on to young people, as well as people who love folk arts. In addition, he also participates in performing on holidays in villages, districts, provinces, and localities, as well as performing in the Festival of Ethnic Minorities organized by Central agencies.

Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van said: "Currently, I am participating in classes teaching traditional music to young people. I go to any village or commune that needs me to teach traditional musical instruments. I love art so I like any musical instrument, and I go to any good artist to learn more experience. Having been to many places and interacting with many ethnic people, I feel very much in love with my homeland."

Along with developing and spreading folk culture in many villages and communes, Meritorious Artist Lo Hai Van is also a familiar face in cultural and artistic activities of the residential group where he lives. He is not only a musician in many artistic performances, but also the author of many songs praising his homeland such as: Am vang Muong Thanh - Dien Bien Phu; Huong lua Dien Bien written in both Vietnamese and Thai languages; Duong len bien gioi - a work written on the topic of protecting security and preserving in the commune and outside the border...

His efforts are not only appreciated by ethnic people but also highly appreciated by all levels and sectors. In 2022, he was honored to receive the title of Meritorious Artisan by the President for his outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting the nation's intangible cultural heritage./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/nghe-nhan-no-luc-bao-ton-va-phat-trien-cac-nhac-cu-dan-toc-20240923162944802.htm