The keeper of the soul of Southern amateur music in Dong Nai

Folk artist Nam Loi (right) performs a musical performance to serve the people in Dong Nai. Photo: L.Na

The tireless contributions of artisan Nam Loi over the years have been recognized and he is honored to be proposed for the title of Meritorious Artisan in 2024 - a worthy tribute to the journey of preserving and promoting the intangible cultural heritage of ĐCTT.

From a boy who loves music to a talented artist

Born and raised in Dong Nai, where ĐCTT permeates every breath, artisan Nam Loi soon became involved with ĐCTT art form. His family has a tradition of Southern ceremonial music, from a young age he was exposed to traditional musical instruments such as drums, percussion, đàn kim, đàn co, đàn sen... From the age of 12, he followed his father to learn ceremonial music, familiarized himself with each beat, and performed on various instruments. At the age of 16, he studied guitar with Mr. Ut Long - a talented artisan in the ĐCTT community in Bien Hoa - Dong Nai.

Since 1975, artisan Nam Loi has actively participated in the local mass arts movement and participated in ĐCTT activities at family gatherings with older artisans. Not only is he good at playing musical instruments, artisan Nam Loi also has a deep knowledge of ĐCTT pieces. He has a firm grasp of the melodies, the Northern, Southern, Oan, Ha modes...; at the same time, he has compiled dozens of pieces for different instruments to teach many generations of students in and outside the province.

Artisan Nam Loi shared: “In October 1997, the Dong Nai Province ĐCTT Club was established under the Dong Nai Culture and Information Center, now the Dong Nai Culture and Cinema Center, and I was elected as Vice Chairman of the Club. Over the past 28 years, I and other members of the Club have participated in many teaching, performing, and exchange activities inside and outside the province with an effort to preserve and strongly spread ĐCTT in Dong Nai, preserving the cultural identity of the South in the face of the constant development of modern life”.

The dedication and efforts of artisan Nam Loi in teaching ceremonial music and traditional musical instruments to generations of students not only help them master the techniques, but also nurture their passion for ĐCTT. To date, he has guided more than 80 students, many of whom are mastering and practicing ĐCTT, making an important contribution to preserving and promoting the quintessence of traditional Southern art in Dong Nai.

“I just hope that the young generation will continue to be passionate about and preserve this art form. As long as I am healthy, I will still play, compose, and arrange traditional and reformed opera pieces, and still teach students,” artist Nam Loi shared.

Although he has turned 75, folk artist Nam Loi still regularly participates in performances and exchanges inside and outside the province, especially in ĐCTT teaching classes. For him, teaching the craft is not only a responsibility, but also a joy, a way for ĐCTT to continue to live forever in the hearts of music lovers.

Honoring the silent contributions

Over the years, artisan Nam Loi has actively participated in festivals and performances of ĐCTT locally, regionally and nationally. With his skillful playing techniques and deep understanding of traditional music, he and the members of the ĐCTT Club of Dong Nai province have been honored to win many high awards, certificates of merit and medals in the field of ĐCTT, contributing to affirming their talent and position in the national folk music scene.

Notable achievements include: Excellent performance award at the 1st Southern Music Festival in Dong Nai province in 2003; 3rd prize for solo performance of the Dan Co instrument - Binh Duong Province's expanded Dan Co Festival in 2005; silver medal for the ensemble performance at the 3rd National Dan Co Festival in 2022 in Can Tho city; A prize - Long An Province's expanded Dan Co Festival in 2023; gold medal for the ensemble performance at the Eastern Singing Festival in 2024 in Binh Thuan province... In particular, in 2017, he was honored to be awarded the title of Folk Artist by the Vietnam Folk Arts Association.

Most recently, the cultural sector continued to compile a profile for him, soliciting public opinion to submit to the Council for Awarding the title of People's Artisan and Meritorious Artisan of Dong Nai province in 2024 to propose awarding the title of Meritorious Artisan. This is not only a source of pride, marking the journey of tireless dedication to art of artisan Nam Loi, but also a common joy for those who love Southern ĐCTT.

Talking about artisan Nam Loi, Director of Dong Nai Cultural - Cinema Center Ton Thi Thanh Tinh shared: “For many years, artisan Nam Loi has been working hard to teach and perform ĐCTT in Bien Hoa - Dong Nai. Not only passionate, artisan Nam Loi is also a very responsible person, dedicated to preserving and promoting ĐCTT values. He is an artist who always strives and dedicates himself to preserving a part of the soul of Southern culture”.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202504/nguoi-giu-hon-don-ca-tai-tu-nam-bo-tai-dong-nai-0720bcb/