People who preserve and spread the heritage of Ca Tru in Nghi Xuan

The famous Nguyen Cong Tru (1778 - 1858) is considered the founder of Co Dam Ca Tru. After a period of oblivion, since 1998, the cultural heritage of Ca Tru has been restored, many generations of artists and singers of Nghi Xuan (Ha Tinh) continue to preserve and spread it in life.

Meritorious Artist Duong Thi Xanh (born in 1975, Vice President of Ca Tru Co Dam Club): Diligently preserving the songs of her homeland

Born in the countryside of Co Dam, since childhood, the songs of Ca Tru have permeated the soul of artist Duong Thi Xanh. In 1995, when the policy of restoring Co Dam Ca Tru began, Ms. Xanh was discovered to nurture and train a new generation of singers. Along with her innate talent, she has made efforts to learn from late artists such as: Phan Thi Mon, Ha Thi Binh, Tran Thi Gia...

Meritorious Artist Duong Thi Xanh - Vice President of Co Dam Ca Tru Club.

In 2002, Ms. Xanh was one of 7 people from Ha Tinh sent to Hanoi to participate in Ca Tru training under the project to restore and preserve the art of Ca Tru of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. She said: “The 2 months of training in Hanoi was an extremely valuable time for me. With the teaching and transmission of veteran artists and Ca Tru experts in the capital, I gained a lot of knowledge, experience and skills to sing Ca Tru systematically.”

With the knowledge gained from the training class and many times later, she and her husband, Meritorious Artist Tran Van Dai, went to study more at the Thai Ha Ca Tru Club (Hanoi), Ms. Xanh returned to teach the next generation of singers in the Ca Tru Co Dam and Nguyen Cong Tru Clubs. She also continuously participated in many national Ca Tru festivals and won many gold medals. In 2013, she was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist by the President, the youngest person in the country at that time to receive this noble title.

Currently, as Vice President of the Co Dam Ca Tru Club, she regularly performs for tourists at the Nguyen Cong Tru Relic Site and trains a generation of young singers. “I hope that along with the efforts of the artists, the authorities at all levels will pay special attention to the young generation, in addition to fueling their love for Ca Tru, providing playgrounds and economic conditions for them to stick with the preservation and promotion of heritage,” said Meritorious Artist Duong Thi Xanh.

Artist Phan Xuan Anh (born in 1959, member of Co Dam Ca Tru Club): Passionate about keeping the rhythm of Ca Tru

Although not the main character in each ca tru performance, artist Phan Xuan Anh has a very special role. He is the person holding the drum to keep the rhythm, helping the singer to sublimate in her singing. Having participated in the activities of the Co Dam Ca Tru Club since its inception, for nearly 25 years now, his love for this scholarly art form has never waned.

People who preserve and spread the heritage of Ca Tru in Nghi Xuan

Artist Phan Xuan Anh - the conductor at the Co Dam Ca Tru Club (Nghi Xuan).

He said: “I really fell in love with Ca Tru when I was a soldier in the army. That was in the 1980s, every time I went home on leave to my lover, artist Dau Thi Loan, my wife now, I would listen to my mother-in-law, artist Ha Thi Binh, sing Ca Tru. From then until now, when Ca Tru has been revived, I have always been attached to the club.”

His main role is to hold the Chau, but he can play the Dan Day for the singers to sing in many different styles and rhythms of Ca Tru. He and his wife also pass on their love of Ca Tru to their children and grandchildren. His family has 3 generations of artists, singers, and officials including: grandparents, 2 daughters, and 2 grandchildren. At Ca Tru festivals from district, provincial to national levels, he and his family members have participated and won many awards.

Artist Phan Xuan Anh shared: “Ca Tru is ingrained in my blood, so whenever there is a performance program, a practice session, or a teaching session for the younger generation of the Club, no matter how busy I am, I put it aside to participate. I hope my passion will contribute to preserving and further spreading the cultural heritage of my homeland.”

Singer Phan Thi Sam (born in 1991, member of Nguyen Cong Tru Ca Tru Club): Love for Ca Tru keeps people staying

Graduated from the cultural management major (Hanoi University of Culture) in 2013 and experienced a number of jobs, but as fate would have it, Ms. Phan Thi Sam (Co Dam commune) returned to her hometown and continued to be attached to Ca Tru.

People who preserve and spread the heritage of Ca Tru in Nghi Xuan

Singer Phan Thi Sam - member of Nguyen Cong Tru Ca Tru Club (Nghi Xuan).

Ms. Sam shared: “I came to Ca Tru since my elementary school days. Until now, I still remember the memories of being taught and performed by senior artists at ceremonies of clans in the village and commune. Later, when I was taught by seniors such as Duong Thi Xanh, Tran Van Dai..., participated in performances, competed in festivals and won awards, my love for Ca Tru grew more and more.”

Having been involved with Ca Tru since early on, in 2009, when she was a 12th grader, Ms. Phan Thi Sam was sent to attend the National Ca Tru Club Festival held in Hanoi and won a silver medal for her performance of singing and speaking ancient lyrics. During her time in college and working, Ms. Sam temporarily left Ca Tru. From 2016 to now, after returning to her hometown to get married and have children, she continued to be involved with Ca Tru, participating in activities at the Co Dam Ca Tru Club, then the Nguyen Cong Tru Ca Tru Club. In 2021, Ms. Sam attended and won first prize at the 3rd Nghi Xuan District Ca Tru Festival.

Currently, she regularly participates in performances for tourists at the Nguyen Cong Tru Relic Site (Xuan Giang Commune). Singer Phan Thi Sam expressed: “Every time I perform for tourists from near and far, especially students listening to Ca Tru, I feel like I am sublimated in each song. I feel proud to be able to spread my homeland's songs to all regions, sowing the beauty of the national cultural heritage into the younger generation.”

Singer Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu (class 12A4, Nghi Xuan High School): Continue to preserve and spread Ca Tru to all regions

Having studied Ca Tru since childhood, guided by generations of artists and singers, Quynh Nhu has now won many awards at Ca Tru festivals at all levels. Typically, the promising singer award at the 2018 National Ca Tru Festival, held in Ha Tinh. Quynh Nhu said: “Since I was in 4th grade, one time I followed my friends to watch the uncles and aunts perform Ca Tru, I started to love it and then practice singing. Seeing my passion, Uncle Tran Van Dai, Ms. Tran Thi Canh (former Deputy Director of the Culture - Communication Center of Nghi Xuan district)... taught me, thanks to which my knowledge and skills in singing Ca Tru have become better and better.”

People who preserve and spread the heritage of Ca Tru in Nghi Xuan

Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu - student of class 12A4, Nghi Xuan High School.

Quynh Nhu is currently active in the Co Dam Ca Tru Club, and is also the Vice President of the Nghi Xuan High School Ca Tru Club with 30 members. In addition to participating in performances, Quynh Nhu is also the one who teaches Ca Tru singing methods to her friends in the club at school.

Quynh Nhu shared: “Although I am in my final year of high school, my studies are very busy, and I have little time to practice and perform Ca Tru, but my passion for this art form is always in me. In the future, whether I go to school or work, I will continue to preserve and spread the songs of my homeland to all regions.”