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Performing Tay Son martial arts music. Photo D.T.D |
Musician Nguyen Van Hien came to Binh Dinh to do a study on the music of Tay Son martial arts. Binh Dinh Newspaper’s Viet Tho spoke with him about the issue.
* Why did you decide to study the music of Tay Son martial arts?
I was born in Bong Son, Hoai Nhon district. When I was a child, I watched the performance of Tay Son martial arts music which was engraved in my mind. Thus, when doing the M.A research, I thought of my hometown and do this study.
Also, the music of Tay Son martial arts hasn’t been studied so far; therefore, I want to study more to have a book on Tay Son martial arts music published to introduce this kind of music to tourist.
* What are interesting features in Tay Son martial arts music?
The aerobic exercise has strongly developed in Vietnam. Watching aerobic performances, I always think of the martial arts music. It’s very interesting to know that a kind of aerobic exercise was formed under Tay Son dynasty 220 years ago.
What’s more, there are many national musical instruments, let alone drums, used to perform this kind of music. All are combined to create drum-rolls which had positive effects in a battlefield. I hope that the music of Tay Son martial arts will be recognized as the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
* But do you think that it’s very difficult to make the dream come true?
Talking about the cultural heritage means that we mention its value and unique feature, not its scale. Hue royal music is a typical example. I think that Tay Son martial arts music is a historical heritage, lasting forever. Our responsibility is to raise the people’s awareness of its value.
This is just my dream. What I can do is to introduce its features and effects in the society, but I do believe that Tay Son martial arts music deserves serious consideration.
* Could you talk more about the visit to Binh Dinh?
I met Nguyen Thi Thuan and we talked something about Tay Son martial arts music. I have to study more to finish my study by 2009.
I felt regret that Thuan, who has preserved the intangible cultural heritage for over 20 years, hasn’t been bestowed the “meritorious artist” title; meanwhile, some singers were bestowed this title after singing for several years.
Thuan has performed a lot at small and big events nationwide. It can be said that she made contributions to the preservation of Binh Dinh’s cultural character. She deserves the great concern.
Also, I met many musicians and artists in this visit. I was really happy to see Binh Dinh’s changes in recent years. This will help me a lot in my works.
* I wonder if features of Tay Son martial arts music will have any influence on your new works after this visit.
Surely, I will use the rhythm of Tay Son martial arts music in my works. Previously, I used martial arts music in the song named “Thang Long – great victorious spring”. It is about the spring victory of Ky Dau.
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