Xam still resonates

When the essence of Xam singing - Ha Thi Cau - returned to dust, many people were worried that Xam singing would gradually fade away in the place that was considered the cradle of this art form. But no, those who are passionate about Xam singing still have the right to be full of hope for a bright future for the art of Xam singing in their homeland when witnessing the passion of today's young people.

At the end of the year, the weather is sweetly cold. Meritorious artist Kim Ngan - Head of Kim Ngan Xam Club, Yen Nhan commune (Yen Mo district) is at ease after a busy day of cleaning and decorating the house to welcome Tet.

Next to a pot of fragrant, boiling banh chung, with a flower mat spread out in the middle of the yard, Meritorious Artist Kim Ngan enthusiastically guides her grandchildren on how to sing a complete ancient Xam song. Meritorious Artist Kim Ngan's youngest grandchild is Pham Quynh Anh, who is only in 3rd grade this year, but has been learning Xam singing with her grandmother for more than 2 years.

Mrs. Ngan is proud that most of her grandchildren have studied Xam singing since they were very young. Not only teaching her children and grandchildren in the Xam singing house, as the Head of Yen Nhan Xam singing Club - one of the famous Xam singing clubs up to now in Yen Mo district, Meritorious Artist Kim Ngan has worked hard to teach Xam singing to many young people in and outside the locality.

According to Ms. Ngan, the club members are aged from 6 to 20 years old. At first, the members are instructed by the artists in theory, pronunciation, and pronunciation. Then they practice distinguishing between Xam genres. Up to now, most of the children can use musical instruments, sing Xam Thap An, Tau Dien, Xam Cho... and above all, they have aroused the passion of many people for Xam singing.

From these classes, many young people have participated in performing at local mass art festivals and won high prizes. Most recently, three members of the club, Vuong Mai Thuy Trang, Pham Nhu Quynh and Mai Ngoc Oanh, brought Xam to the 3-region folk song competition held in Nghe An province and won first prize. Each time they perform, Xam is brought closer to the majority of people, of all ages, helping listeners gradually approach and develop love for each of those rustic sounds and melodies.

Meritorious artist Kim Ngan said that generations of Xam singers like her will no longer worry about Xam being lost or forgotten. She has taught singing to hundreds of students. No one chooses to learn Xam as a career to make a living in the future, but they learn to sing only to satisfy the passion and responsibility of the young generation towards this traditional art form.

Xam, like many other folk art forms, will not be forgotten but will continue to be passed down and developed strongly over time, thanks to the passion and responsibility of the younger generation. That is also the motivation and belief for her to pursue the work of transmitting the art of Xam singing for many years.

Xam still resonates — Passing on the craft to the younger generation at the Ha Thi Cau Xam Club, Yen Phong Commune (Yen Mo). Photo: Minh Quang

Young artist Bui Cong Son is also a person who has a deep love for Xam. Cong Son is only 23 years old this year, originally from Thai Binh province - the homeland of Cheo singing art, but because of his love for Xam, he has returned to the land of Xam Yen Mo.

Son said that he had studied with many artists, including the famous Xam singing artist Dao Bach Linh in Hai Phong city. He had learned many good things, but still lacked something very unique about Xam, such as the singing style of Ha Thi Cau. To learn from her, the only way was to return to her hometown. In 2016, Cong Son packed his bags and went to Yen Mo to study Xam singing. Son spent a lot of time researching documents, researching, and studying Cau's singing style to learn from her.

"The special thing about Mr. Cau is expressed in both his playing and singing. His Xam singing is round and clear. His way of singing, enunciating words, and rhythm is very airy. The general principles when singing are still the same, but each time he sings, it is a new and different experience. The way he pauses and rests is also free and rich. Especially when playing, the sound of the playing imitates the lyrics. Whatever the lyrics are, the music is imitated exactly like that..." - Mr. Son passionately talked about the singing style of the last Xam singer of the 20th century.

Artist Bui Cong Son shared that he was lucky to have a voice that resonated with Mr. Cau, so when he sang, many Xam lovers realized that his singing style was quite similar to Mr. Cau. Many people think that Xam singing is difficult to make a living, especially in contemporary life, but Mr. Son is proud that he can live thanks to Xam singing.

From 2019 to present, Mr. Son has participated and won dozens of A prizes in competitions and festivals of Xam clubs. Recently, at the Xam singing club festival organized by Ninh Binh province, Mr. Son won the A prize. Mr. Son is also one of three artists invited to participate in the Northern and Central Cultural Heritage performance in a series of activities at the 2nd Ninh Binh-Trang An Festival in 2023.

Although it is a unique traditional art, it must be admitted that Xam singing is being "overshadowed" in the modern pace of life, in the listening pleasure of today's youth. That is what Mr. Son is concerned about, so for many years, Mr. Son has participated in teaching Xam singing to children in Yen Phong commune in the Xam mat of Long market.

Mr. Son also worked hard to collect documents and ancient musical instruments so that more people could access them, thereby spreading the love of Xam to the public more widely. "Currently, there are more Xam listeners than before. The audience is increasingly coming to Xam competitions and performances, including young audiences. In fact, there are people who listen because they understand Xam, love Xam, and there are also many people who listen to it because it's a trend. Teaching Xam is the same, there are many children who study it because of their passion, and there are also children who sing it because it's a trend... But even so, this is also a very happy sign for the future of Xam. A new spring is coming. Personally, I hope that this year and many years from now, I can spread to many people, especially young people, the love for the art of singing Xam..." - artist Bui Cong Son shared.

Dao Hang

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