Kieu My, the only female dan kim (Vietnamese two-chord guitar) player in Ho Chi Minh City

Cai luong musicians have little to live on besides their love and zeal.

But what does it take for artists to keep performing outside the limelight, all the time?

The answer seems simple: talent and even more passion and commitment, not to mention perseverance.

My Giau and Kieu My have been offering compelling evidence of these attributes for decades, but their contribution to the art of cai luong (traditional southern folk opera) is even more marked by the fact that they are female instrumentalists in an overwhelmingly male domain.

Ba Diep, father of noted seasoned cai luong artist Diep Lang, expresses just how difficult the career is of an artist who is always behind the scenes. He says he would rather be an artist standing in the light than playing music in the dark, which is what he did, retiring after years of playing, without any fanfare, empty-handed.

But without this “weird” love for the profession, many arts would never flourish. In cai luong, there are many instruments that enrich a performance, including - the dan tranh (16-chord zither), the dan kim (Vietnamese two-chord guitar), dan co (Vietnamese two-chord fiddle) and the ghita phim lom (guitar with sunken box).

My Giau started playing music when she was just seven, following her father, noted instrumentalist Nam Hoa of the 50s, to perform with many cai luong troupes throughout the southern provinces.

Since 13, she focused on playing the dan tranh and was soon standing on her own feet, touring with the Sa Dec Commune’s Red Cross chapter. In 1980, her father died, and My Giau settled down in Ho Chi Minh City, working in turn for Saigon 2, Bong Hong Trang (White rose), Hai Dang and Trung Hieu troupes. In 1993, she moved to the Tran Huu Trang troupe where she has stayed until now.

People are apt to see My Giau and think she is an actress, given her striking good looks, but she has no such thoughts. She has no problem being a dan tranh player, but her career has given her a lot of sadness.

“I have quit (my career) several times. But when I turn on the TV and hear the cai luong sound, I miss it and return. But now only people with qualifications are taken on. People do not trust in skills passed on from father to daughter, like mine.”

It has been several months since the 46-year-old artiste has quit her career to earn a living teaching and performing for private parties. Her life became more difficult recently, with the addition of more grandchildren she has to look after.

Despite the sadness and the hard times she has faced, My Giau holds neither rancor nor bitterness about the pursuit of her career.

“I am satisfied with the gifts of life, with my passion. The music refreshes my soul and rekindles optimism.”

Giau’s advice about her job to the younger generation is back up the singer at all times.

“We instrumentalists must listen carefully to the artists to ‘save’ them when they make mistakes. It is easy for them to make mistakes because they are under so much pressure. So, the musician plays an important role in the play, not only with their virtuosity, but also their quick wit.”

She cannot but end on a sad note, however. “Now, because of the shortage of funds, the impresario often diminishes the number and role of instruments. This not only affects my career, but also detracts from the play.”

Exceptional

In the world of cai luong bands, Kieu My is the only female playing plain dan kim. She was inspired by her grandfather and father, and then taught by Saigon’s famous musician Ba Tu.

In 1984, she joined Binh Duong Province’s ensemble and quit it in 1995. She has since been teaching, and going on tours or performing for shows organized by TV stations.

Kieu My is considered a star in the musicians circle, having won many awards including gold medals for solo performances at the national cai luong and don ca tai tu (cai luong’s more formal style) festivals in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Kieu My considers herself very fortunate to have a family, particularly her husband, who encourages the pursuit of her dreams.

Her husband Minh Ngoc, former actor for Binh Duong Theater, has left his old profession and switched to become a script writer for TV programs. Always by his wife’s side, this couple is an exception to the hard lives that other instrumental musicians in the cai luong circle lead.

The ‘discordant’ note in her life is that her only child is only interested in commercial music. But Kieu My does not blame her daughter. She feels each person has his or her own fate.

Another worry she has is common to her community as a whole. There are few disciples focused on following in their footsteps.

Reported by Hoang Kim