A UNESCO-recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Bai Choi singing was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 7, 2017.
The practice of Bai Choi takes two main forms: games and performances. The games are played with cards and bamboo huts, while the performances involve Hieu artists singing and dancing on a rattan mat.
Currently, Da Nang City has six Meritorious Artists who practice Bai Choi singing, including Ho Thanh Chau, Pham Hong Thai, Le Van Dan, Do Huu Que, Vo Thi Ninh, and Van Phuoc Pho.
The artists have made great efforts and contributions to the preservation of Bai Choi art.
Among them, Meritorious Artist Pham Hong Thai, 56, from Duong Lam 2 Village, Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, has been performing Bai Choi for four decades.
Recalling his early days of practising this art form, Thai cherished the opportunity to join the mobile information team in Hoa Phong Commune, which helped him gain experience in Bai Choi performances.
“My primary role in the team was as an instrumental player. Outside of performances, I delved deeper into researching Bai Choi singing,” Thai recalled.
He was glad to share that whenever his Song Yen Bai Choi Club staged performances, they received enthusiastic participation and appreciation from residents.
Interestingly, any folk sayings or proverbs could easily become song lyrics in Bai Choi.
Thai vividly remembered the 1990s when villagers eagerly waited for the arrival of the Bai Choi troupe. At that time, people mainly engaged in arduous agricultural work. Their moments of relaxation came from watching Bai Choi performances filled with laughter.
From the stage, Thai could see the villages’ stadiums packed with people applauding his performances. Those were the happiest moments for the team members.
Regarding the development of the next generation of Bai Choi artists, Thai emphasises that the ideal age for training is between 6 and 10 years old. At this age, children are most receptive to music and emotions.
In reality, all elementary and middle schools in Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City have established ‘Children Sing Folk Songs’ clubs intending to lay the foundation to promote Bai Choi singing. Thai has been actively involved in guiding and training these students.
The cultural charm of Bai Choi singing
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Artist Huyen Tan (R) and Meritorious Artist Ho Thanh Chau join a Bai Choi performance. (Photo: PHU TAN) |
Artist Huyen Tan, real name Nguyen Thi Phu Tan, 40, is head of the Song Han Bai Choi Club.
She has developed a special passion for the ‘dan bau’ (monochord), one of the instruments used in Bai Choi performances. Whenever she hears the sound of the instrument, she feels inspired and ready to perform hundreds of song lines on stage.
Tan’s journey of practising Bai Choi singing is interesting. In 2018, while having a stable office job, Huyen Tan decided to leave and pursue a career in Bai Choi singing.
She was mentored by Meritorious Artist Do Linh, who helped her build a firm foundation of knowledge and performing skills in the art of Bai Choi.
“A Bai Choi performance always has several criteria, such as the quality of the singing voice, the appropriateness of the lyrics in different contexts, spaces and for different audiences,” Huyen Tan explained.
“From the music to the lyrics in Bai Choi, everything embodies a profound sense of goodness. In the set of 30 Bai Choi cards, each card evokes pride and strong faith in the beauty of Vietnamese culture and people. For me, just hearing a few lines of bai Choi or folk music every day is the greatest source of happiness,” Huyen Tan shared.
She stressed that the preservation of the cultural charm of Bai Choi can contribute to the safeguarding and development of a national cultural trait.
“We are always ready to pass on our experiences and passion to the next generation. If we don't ignite the flame for Bai Choi now, it will become a thing of the past,” Huyen Tan stated.
The efforts of artists like Pham Hong Thai and Huyen Tan are vital in ensuring that Bai Choi singing continues to thrive and inspire future generations.
The art of Bai Choi singing requires high interaction and mutual understanding between the singers and the instrumental players. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new generation of young and skilled Bai Choi artists, whose work will contribute to the broader effort of safeguarding and upholding the folk art form.
