Chhay dam is a traditional drum dance of the Khmer people, which has long become the "soul" of cultural festivals, often performed at Ok Om Bok, Sene Donta, Chol Chnam Thmay festivals, and exchanges in cultural and artistic festivals, especially exchanges in community activities of the Khmer people... Chhay dam drum dance carries both spiritual elements and artistic values, with strong, decisive dances, simulating movements in traditional rituals of the Khmer people.
Meritorious artist Danh Be, acting in Go Quao commune, was born into a family with a tradition of loving traditional Khmer arts. From his grandfather to his father, Danh Be was proficient in playing musical instruments and skillfully performing Khmer dances, songs and Chhay dam drum performances. According to Danh Be, Chay dam dancing not only requires strength but also flexibility and agility. Dancers must know how to control the rhythm, perform dances with their bodies so that the drum beats blend with the rhythm. Chhay dam of the Khmer people in the Southwest region has a different nuance compared to Chhay dam drums in Tay Ninh . Here, the rhythm is usually steady, with few syncopations, the tone is gentle, while the hand and foot movements, gazes and expressions are expressive and graceful. The costumes of the dance teams are also colorful, imbued with a festive atmosphere, creating a vivid artistic picture in the midst of everyday life.
The Chhay dam drum team of the meritorious artist Danh Be (Go Quao commune) performs to welcome people to Ta Mum pagoda on the occasion of the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year 2025.
After more than 10 years of working with the Chhay Dam drum, the memory of his first introduction to the traditional drum dance art is still deeply imprinted in the heart of Danh Nhut Anh, a resident of Go Quao commune. When he was young, his father took him to the house of the excellent artist Danh Be to learn the Chhay Dam drum dance. The first days of practice were full of hardships, his small hands were swollen and bleeding as he had to beat the drum in time and move in complex dance moves, but it was Mr. Danh Be's dedication and passion that helped him persevere. "I am happy because every time we perform the Chhay Dam drum dance, many people come to watch. My teammates and I perform rhythmically, in harmony with each movement. The sound of the drum is not only the sound, but also the emotion that is transmitted to the audience" - said Danh Nhut Anh.
Nowadays, amid the strong flow of urbanization and modern means of entertainment, traditional arts such as Chhay dam have long faced the risk of extinction. The number of artisans is getting older, the younger generation mainly earns a living far away and goes to school. In some places, Chhay dam dance is only a memory during major holidays. In this situation, the Department of Culture and Sports , the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, in coordination with local authorities, opened classes to teach Chhay dam drum dance regularly at Khmer pagodas, attracting a large number of young people to participate. Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Danh Phuc said that many mass art troupes have been established, providing a place for artisans and students to exchange, perform and maintain their passion for Chhay dam drum dance. "Every year, the folk art competitions and performances within the framework of the Khmer Cultural, Sports and Tourism Festival in Go Quao are an opportunity for the Chhay Dam drum dance to shine and reach a wider audience. Thanks to the constant efforts, the Chhay Dam drum continues to resound, solemn and intense, in harmony with the rhythm of modern life. This is not only about preserving the dance, but also about preserving cultural identity, passing on to the next generation the pride of the nation's roots," said Mr. Danh Phuc.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giu-tieng-trong-giu-hon-dan-toc-a423903.html
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