He was well-known with numerous valuable research works and collections, serving as the basis for the next generations to preserve and promote national culture.
Tran Van Khe went to France to study in 1949. He earned his Ph.D., at the renowned Sorbonne University in France and served as professor and director of the International Musical Institute under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Paris.
He has taught traditional Vietnamese music around the world for many years;he has also collected and researched traditional music of many Asian and African countries to find the similarities with Vietnamese music.
Tran Van Khe was very hardworking and modest in studying and researching national ancient culture. He attended, listened to and discussed Vietnamese cultural identities, particularly traditional musical forms, at many workshops both at home and abroad.
In September 2002, Binh Dinh provincial Tuong (Classical Drama) troupe came to Munich for performances under the invitation of Professor and Doctor Thai Kim Lan, an overseas Vietnamese in Germany. Professor Khe was also invited to meet with German intellectuals and cultural researchers. His opinions were invaluable to the cause of researching national arts.
After ‘Nha Nhac Cung Dinh Hue’ (Hue Royal Court Music) and Central Highlands Gongs were recognised as intangible cultural heritages of humanity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited the professor to talk. In addition to his wide knowledge on Vietnamese traditional culture, he could play musical instruments and sing many genres of music.
Over the 50 years of his single life in Paris, he devoted his time, heart and mind to researching and promoting Vietnamese traditional arts to the world - he was even considered a walking dictionary of traditional music. So far, he has written seven memoirs on his artistic life.
After five decades of living, studying and teaching in France, Professor Tran Van Khe returned to the motherland in 2006 to dedicate the rest of his life to the development of national music. He was provided with a villa in Binh Thanh district that was used as a Museum of Traditional Music and was where the professor met with his colleagues and taught younger generations who loved traditional music.
Despite his old age, he implemented a school music project that was sponsored by UNESCO to offer trial classes on national music at elementary schools in the city. He was very happy because both young teachers and pupils were interested in discovering traditional music forms. He hoped that the projects would be expanded to other localities around the country.
However, he was very sad when he read a textbook on music for grade-schoolers that mentioned few traditional music forms. Professor Tran Van Khe did his best to extensively promote the project, popularising national music to schools. This was the desire of the culturist who dedicated his entire life and career to national culture and arts. His enthusiasm has made all Vietnamese people remember him fondly.
| In his will, Professor Khe emphasised that when he pass away, his villa should be used as a memorial house for all documents, books, articles and artifacts related to his career. He hoped that they would significantly contribute to the preservation and popularisation of traditional Vietnamese culture. According to the Vietnam Musicians’ Association, his house will be open from 12pm on June 26 to the end of June 28 for guests to pay respects. A memorial service for him will be organised at 6am on June 29, and his remains will be cremated at the Binh Duong cemetery in Chanh Phu Hoa commune, Ben Cat district, Binh Duong province the same day. |
