Tay Nguyen Performing Arts Troupe

Up to now, most of the first generation of artists of the Tay Nguyen Art Troupe in the North have passed away. The story of that once-glorious art troupe can now only be told by artist Siu Phich. Although he is over 80 years old, Mr. Siu Phich is still very clear-minded, his opera voice is still very resonant. He was recruited into the Tay Nguyen Art Troupe when he was a 15-year-old boy going to the regrouping, after more than 30 years of doing art, the time he spent in the North was 20 years, how can he forget?

Old artist Siu Phich recalled: “The troupe was called “Tay Nguyen Performing Arts Troupe” but in reality, there were also a number of actors from other ethnic groups. However, the largest group was still Tay Nguyen people: Nay Quach, Nay Pha, Nay Vil, H'Ben, Siu Poi, Y Don, Siu Ken, Kpah Pui, Thao Giang… Later, Y Brom, Y Tu, Xuan La were added… The troupe leader was Mr. Siu Ken. The two deputy troupes were Kpah Pui and musician Nhat Lai. The troupe was initially stationed at Mai Ho camp, and in 1962, it was moved to the art area in Cau Giay, Hanoi . That collective area was rows of thatched houses with bamboo walls, and when it rained heavily, water flooded into the houses. Those with families like musician Nhat Lai and H'Ben had a room of about 15 square meters; as for us, 4-5 people shared a room. The food ration was 15 kg of rice per person per month and we had to “padded” it like everyone else. everyone at that time. However, in addition to the general standard, each of us also received 2 kg of sugar and 2 kg of pork to “nourish our beauty”. In the difficult conditions of the North at that time, such a standard was considered a priority.

The Liberation Army Song and Dance Troupe with the participation of the Tay Nguyen Performing Arts Troupe in Lahabana, Cuba. Photo courtesy

The hardships were more significant than the tours. The Northwest and Viet Bac provinces at that time were all worn out by the troupe’s artists. The roads were dangerous and precarious, like walking on clouds. Many sections were spent sitting on trucks looking down into the deep abyss, chilling the spine. When they reached the end of the district road, food and props had to be carried on their shoulders. Adding to the hardship was water for daily use. In places like Meo Vac, the troupe had to assign two people to carry water back, giving each person a small cup. There was no electricity, so many times they had to “sing a cappella”. At night they performed, and during the day they had to worry about studying. Most of the brothers and sisters at that time were still illiterate. In order to not interrupt their studies, the Ministry of Culture sent Mr. Truc Cuong to follow the troupe as a teacher. When they arrived at a performance location, after settling down in their accommodation, they immediately took out their notebooks, chalk, and blackboards to study…

“Although it was hard and busy, each performance trip was still a joy. In the context of a very poor spiritual life, wherever we went, we were loved by the people like family. Especially the soldiers. They were tolerant and took care of us in every way. The attraction of the troupe even won over bandits. In Ha Giang later, we caught a group of bandits. They confessed that once the troupe performed, they intended to throw a grenade onto the stage, but then they saw Ms. H'Ben wearing traditional costumes and singing so well that they just listened and then stopped…”, Mr. Siu Phich said.

Pausing for a moment, as if to suppress his emotions, he continued: “However, above all, Uncle Ho's affection for the troupe remained. It can be said that Uncle Ho always had the warmest feelings for the actors and actresses of the Tay Nguyen Performing Arts Troupe. Whenever distinguished guests visited Uncle Ho, such as the Loseby couple, Indonesian President Sukarno, or leaders of the socialist bloc, Uncle Ho would call the actors and actresses to perform. Each time they performed for Uncle Ho, it was an extremely memorable experience. Once, the troupe performed for Uncle Ho at the Presidential Palace. While in high spirits, one of them accidentally got caught in a vase on the table, causing the vase to fall to the floor and shatter.

Everyone was shocked and scared, but Uncle waved his hand: “You guys keep going. If the vase breaks, we will buy another one. Such a good performance cannot be stopped”… After the performance, Uncle invited everyone to eat candy. The actors happily gathered around Uncle, when suddenly Uncle said: “You guys don’t eat yet, just watch and do as I do”… Uncle took some candy and cigarettes and put them in his bag, everyone timidly followed. Looking around waiting for everyone to finish, Uncle smiled: “Now you guys sit down, eat candy, and smoke naturally. Why did I tell you to do that just now, do you know?” Everyone still didn’t understand, Uncle said: “You guys come to visit me, perform for me, when you go back, if your friends ask: “Do you have any gifts for performing for me?”, how will you answer?” Only then did everyone understand… Then Uncle asked about each person’s health, family, and living conditions. Everyone was moved to tears by Uncle Ho's immense love.

In 1968, our people's resistance war against the US entered a fierce period. To further gain the solidarity and support of socialist countries, the Ministry of Culture established the "Southern Liberation Army Song and Dance Troupe" with elite performers from art troupes. The Tay Nguyen Art Troupe had 4 honored performers selected: Siu Phich, Nay Pha, H'Ben and Siu Ly.

Mr. Siu Phich recalled: “Carrying that noble mission, we were taken care of very thoughtfully. We went to China to stay for a while for further training and then boarded a train to the Soviet Union. From the Soviet Union, the troupe was taken by our friend to Cuba by plane. That was the first performance on our schedule and also the most impressive performance. With the respect and love for the Vietnamese people, our friend treated our troupe like a treasure. Every time the troupe moved somewhere, he sent a motorcade to escort them. For nearly 2 months, the theater was packed with audiences at every performance. President Fidel Castro himself came to watch and cheer for the troupe. The song “Oantanamera” that many people know now was brought back by you guys during that tour... After Cuba, the troupe continued its tour in the Soviet Union and some countries in Eastern Europe and then returned to perform in China and North Korea. The trip lasted nearly a year. In every country, our troupe was welcomed and cared for very much. ink. In response to that affection, the brothers and sisters performed with all their might. The opening of the program was always the majestic song "Liberating the South"! Then "Time of Exciting Youth", "Life - We Love People" were sung in Russian by the best singers of that time such as Quang Hung, Quang Thang, Duong Phu... and were warmly welcomed. Especially the solo performance of the T'rung by Nay Pha. It was the first time that Eastern European audiences saw such a strange instrument with such a strange sound. In many places, Nay Pha had to perform again upon request 2-3 times. "Vietnamese people are very good, very smart" - we have heard our audience praise him many times. A memorable memory was when performing in North Korea. Being a studious person, Nay Pha tried to learn how to play the drums from his friends. When coming to see the performance, when shaking hands, President Kim Il Sung asked Nay Pha: "The North Korean drums are very difficult to play, how long did it take you to learn?". Nay Pha replied: “Sir, studying for one day is not enough time to breathe.” Chairman Kim said: “Normally, Koreans need to study for three months to master it. Vietnamese people are so smart, they will definitely beat America!”

“In 1977, the Tay Nguyen Art Troupe was able to return to serve their homeland after more than 20 years of longing. After that tour, each member asked to return to their hometown to become the core of the newly established provincial art troupes... From then on, each person went their separate ways, but we all remember and are proud of that time when “artists were also soldiers”...”, Mr. Siu Phich stopped talking, his eyes suddenly looked thoughtfully out at the sunny porch...

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202508/doan-van-cong-tay-nguyen-mot-thoi-vang-bong-8e10f0c/