Featuring in Cheo of Thach Xa
The roofs with moss, the village roads winding along the laterite walls, ancient temples and pagodas, and the people as gentle as the rhythm of Chèo – the old folk song they are singing with all of their heart … All of these created a beautiful identity of Thach Xa commune (Thach That district, Hanoi).
Chèo singing is always developed by the people in Thach Xa.
Currently, the activities of famous Chèo clubs in Thach Xa have been maintained. These clubs are for not only the cultural and spiritual activities of the elderly but also the conservation of intangible culture – Chèo singing. Mr. Khuong Van Hue, a cultural officer of Thach Xa commune proudly said that The village had changed a lot over the years, but had never lost the beauty of its tradition. People had still heard the singing of the Chèo rhythm in the communal house. Thach Xa is not only beautiful with Yen Thon communal house built in the Later Lê dynasty, and Bao Quang pagoda with special architecture and its valuable statues but also famous for the passionate love of villagers for Chèo. Their love seems to rise from the bottom of the heart. To Thach Xa villagers from far away, When arriving at the communal house, hearing the sound of the instrument combining with the singing of Chèo, they will forget all the tiredness …
According to Mr. Nguyen Tri Thuy, The singing of Chèo here is so soulful because Thach Xa was originally an agricultural village, and every family has at least another job besides farming. Thanks to the skillful hands of the farmers, many products have become famous near and far. Because the villagers are so good at traditional jobs and are affected by the Doai culture, they are bathed in folklore culture. The Thach Xa people bring a warm and charming life of the countryside into the rhythm of Chèo to motivate their spirit for laboring…
Mr. Khuong Xuan Dang, Chairman of the Folk and Cheo Singing Club of Yen village said that the art of Cheo appeared in Thach Xa many years ago. Cheo singing of Yen village has been so popular. When the drum comes up, no matter how busy people may be, they will use this opportunity to watch the play. The singing is love, passion, motivation to help both performers and listeners overcome difficulties to work hard, foster the love for the homeland and the country … Today Cheo singing clubs and cultural activities in Thach Xa attract a large number of participants of all ages and are being maintained regularly. In addition to the traditional Cheo plays, the clubs also compose new plays to meet the needs of audiences. “Every time we spread the mat in the communal house’s yard or the pagoda’s yard to sing, the people will gather together to watch. At that time, whether the young or the elderly was fascinated with the same tune “, Mr. Party proudly said.
When watching a play praising the beauty in the construction of a new countryside in Thach Xa, we will understand the passion of the farmers here for this folk art. Though Thach Xa villagers are the farmers with callous hands because of laboring and not beautiful, they are still passionate about Cheo singing with the simplicity but attraction. In Cheo, they can not only feel relaxed but also inspire the next generations to preserve the culture of the charming rural countryside.
By Sơn Tùng (HNM)