(GLO)- Since learning to play and make traditional musical instruments of the Jrai people, Mr. Ro Cham Tih (Jut 1 village, Ia Der commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province) never thought of the day when he would bring the culture and music of his people to the world. But then, the increasing number of invitations to perform in many countries helped him deeply realize the cultural power that he had been passed down.
"Bringing bells to strike foreign lands"
We visited Jut 1 village when Mr. Ro Cham Tih had just returned from a performance in Sydney (Australia). The invitation came from the charity music program “One mother, 100 children” to raise funds to support charity classes, initiated by a group of kind-hearted overseas Vietnamese here.
On this trip abroad, in addition to traditional musical instruments such as t'rung, ting ning, kni, bro mong, Ro Cham Tih also brought a new musical instrument that he researched and invented, the klek klok. Also made from bamboo, the sound of the klek klok is very strange, more melodious than the call of the stream in the mountains. "I want my performance to always be new" - Mr. Ro Cham Tih said about the reason for bringing the special instrument to Sydney this time. In addition, he also took the trouble to pack souvenirs with dozens of wind chimes, baskets, and beautiful t'rung with the desire to take this opportunity to show off as much as possible the beauty of Jrai culture. It is understandable, because at this program, he is the only representative of the Central Highlands.
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Meritorious Artist Ro Cham Tih performs the kơ ni on stage in Sydney. Photo provided by the character. |
Arriving in Sydney, Mr. Ro Cham Tih was warmly welcomed by a large audience. He had a dream stage where space, time, and performance script were not limited. Given absolute freedom, he played one instrument after another, completely spontaneously, playing until both the artist and the audience were satisfied with their passion. He smiled and recalled: “Before the performance, I was very worried, but when I was immersed in the music, I… forgot everything!”
After the show, a member of the Organizing Committee tagged him on his personal Facebook page with emotional and sincere lines: “Ro Cham Tih brought the sound of streams, the sound of wind, the sound of babbling water, the resounding sound of the Central Highlands mountains and forests to Sydney through his guitar and singing. Not only does he play and sing well, he also makes traditional musical instruments, performs and teaches them to the next generation to preserve the music of the Jrai people. Ro Cham Tih, a talented, calm and gentle person, is loved by all who meet and know him.”
Mr. Ro Cham Tih said that the success of this cultural exchange trip also lies in the fact that all the musical instruments and souvenirs he brought were sold out. He was very successful to return home empty-handed.
“Cultural export” from the village
Since 2009, Mr. Ro Cham Tih has performed for the first time in Australia, then in Finland, England, Cambodia, and then returned to Australia twice more. He said that in the past two years, he received invitations to perform in Ireland and Japan, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he had to postpone them. If nothing changes, this September, this artist will perform in Korea by personal invitation.
It can be said that Ro Cham Tih is currently the most effective artisan in the province in "cultural export". There are few artisans like him: he can play and skillfully craft musical instruments of his ethnic group, has the ability to restore traditional Jrai communal houses, and wants to promote his ethnic culture to the world with all his pride and love.
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Italian tourists enjoy learning about traditional Jrai musical instruments under the guidance of Meritorious Artisan Ro Cham Tih. Photo: Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc |
That combination has created the “brand” of Ro Cham Tih, bringing him many opportunities. Among the trips, he remembers most the performance in England of the Vietnamese art troupe to celebrate the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries (in 2013). “That time, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh also attended. The music of the Central Highlands was loved and welcomed by many people,” artist Ro Cham Tih recalled. When asked about what he gained from his “one-day journeys”, he confidently said that the more he traveled, the more he broadened his horizons and understanding, thereby becoming more proud of the unique culture of his people - a pristine culture that has and will continue to captivate many people.
The conversation with the talented artist who turns 52 this year also helped us realize one thing: It is not necessary to perform abroad to be called “exporting culture”. Sometimes it is enough to… sit still. That is when foreign tourists know the reputation of the village artist and proactively come to learn about the culture and music of the Central Highlands.
About 3 years ago, a Japanese tourist who was quite knowledgeable about music stayed for a week and was absorbed in learning how Ro Cham Tih played and made musical instruments. Most recently, in February 2023, introduced by photographer Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc, an Italian tourist visited his musical instrument and souvenir workshop. “So amazing! So wonderful!” were the feelings this tourist shared. He was even more excited when, under Ro Cham Tih's guidance, he successfully performed a piece of music in just 15 minutes.
Photographer Nguyen Linh Vinh Quoc - who often invites Mr. Ro Cham Tih to model - shared: "Based on the love for the depth of Central Highlands culture, many tourists welcome Mr. Ro Cham Tih's talent with all admiration. It is worth noting that the cultural features he is preserving are very original, not mixed. With a spirit of hard work and serious training, the talent of this excellent artisan will continue to be revealed and have the opportunity to flourish."
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