VietNamNet Bridge - A blog of don ca tai tu (Southern amateur music) by Professor Tran Quang Hai has attracted a large number of visitors with over 330 articles, since its establishment in August.

The blog gives Vietnamese music lovers, fundamentals of don ca tai tu, cai luong (a traditional southern folk opera). Highlight information is that the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism has asked the National Music Institute to build a file about southern music for submission to UNESCO. This is in order to gain recognition that this type of music is an intangible part of the Vietnamese cultural heritage.

The internet site also presents more than 100 photos and video clips of various activities about folk music.

Born in 1944, Professor Tran Quang Hai is a talented and renowned musician. His family has a history of musical talents over five generations. His father is Professor Tran Van Khe, the great master of traditional Vietnamese music.

He has studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Saigon before moving to France in 1961. While in France, he studied the theory and the practical application of Oriental music with his father.

He can play more than 15 different types of musical instruments, most are from Vietnam, China, India, Iran, Indonesia and Europe.

Professor Tran Quang Hai is also interested in musical research. He has improved the technique of spoon playing and of the Jewish harp. In 1970, he found a technique in overtone singing and is considered an expert in this field. He has written numerous articles on Vietnamese and Asian music and composed hundreds of popular songs.

Professor Tran Quang Hai has received many prestigious international music awards.

Source: SGGP