Lookatvietnam – Veteran sound artist Minh Tam is stepping out of the limelight to let younger people take the reins.

Sound of silence: Artist Ta Minh Tam at age 80.

“I find I am already old,” Tam said, when I asked why he has been away from the studio for so long.

“I want to rest and give up my place to younger people,” he said.

He led me over to a bronze bell, that he recently acquired during his travels abroad. The sound is clear, and the echo is long and sharp.

“If you look at it with your eyes, this bell is similar to other bells that are sold in the market,” Tam said. “Only sound experts can hear its value and original sound.”

Though he may be old in years. Tam said that he had recently rediscovered his reason for living. After his wife died, he thought he would have to spend the rest of his life alone. Then one day, he met a woman who made the flames of love burn bright once again. It wasn’t long before they were married.

He pulled out a photo album full of pictures of their travels, trips he never had a chance to take in his youth, because he was so busy with work.

The only thing that dampens his happiness is that his wife often has to travel to the US for work and to visit her children. “It’s so sad to stay alone at home like this. And, I miss my job. Maybe I’ll come back to work. I accepted the invitation to start working again.”

Forgotten enthusiasm

Tam has worked on over 2,000 films. However, his behind-the-scenes work does not often attract the attention of audiences. During his career, he has only trained two students. The first is artist Minh Thu, his daughter, and the second is artist Manh Kien. So far, only two artists in the north have specialised in sound engineering. Both are preparing to retire.

In 1991, Tam recalls writing a 3-page letter to the Ministry of Information, asking the Ministry to train young replacements in sound engineering. At the time, he received a positive answer from the Ministry, saying it would consider this in the future, but nothing ever came of it.

It’s difficult to find people who love the job, Tam admitted. “Almost no one wants to do this strange and difficult job, which only offers a modest salary,” he said.

Even Tam was not satisfied with his job when he first started, but soon he began to appreciate the creativity and assiduousness the work required.

Now, neither Minh Thu nor Manh Kien can find enthusiastic students willing to take over the industry.

I can not forget the sight of Tam’s tools: a fey chipped bowls, a torn shoe, some rough sponges. When I asked if his instruments will be used by Minh Thu, he laughed sadly.

“Our country is not like other countries; it’s completely different. [Other countries] pay careful attention to this job and pour a lot of investment into modern machines that can create high-tech sound effects.”

Last year, a film school contacted him about giving lessons when the school starts a sound course. But he hasn’t heard anything else from them. “It’s better late than never,” he said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News