Xam art in the flow of time
At the mini-show held at the end of the year at the apartment building at 6 Tong Dan (Hanoi), Xam artists performed familiar songs, bringing listeners back to the space of old Hanoi. The Xam performers, including a 10-year-old girl, all nurtured a passion for this traditional art form.
In recent years, despite many difficulties when entering the era of development, the audience is no longer interested in traditional art, Xam art still persists and finds new directions. Xam singing clubs have been established in many big cities, especially Hanoi, attracting many young people to come and learn. Xam performances and Xam competitions held in cultural spaces every year show the vitality of Xam in the cultural flow.
The naming of Xam melodies is also very diverse and interesting, showing the ability to "proliferate" and develop without limits of this type of music. In Hanoi alone, there are Xam tau dien, Xam Ha Noi, Xam nha tro... Other Xam melodies include Xam cho, Xam ho khoan, Xam thap an, Xam hue tinh, Xam xoan.
Talking to Lao Dong reporter, Xam singing artist Thu Phuong expressed her passion for Xam singing, wishing to bring Xam singing to a wide audience, especially the youth.
The artist believes that the process of forming and developing folk music genres is nurtured by different genres. Xam also has features borrowed from other genres such as Ca Tru, Tuong, Cheo, combining to create a folk music genre. Xam singing is like a rhyme with rhythm, melody, accompanied by many musical instruments creating bustling, joyful sounds.
Artist Thu Phuong confided: “Since ancient times, the brown shirt has been associated with Xam songs about the homeland, about everyday stories or prominent issues in society. The rustic brown shirt represents the peasant class, the voice of the wet rice agricultural culture. With Xam singing, a tune needs to pay attention to how to sing, how to beat the clappers, the performance environment and the content of the scene. There are countless ideas to stage Xam songs to suit the tastes and needs of the audience to enjoy the art.”
Bringing Xam into harmony with modern tastes
Nowadays, Xam has made great strides to catch up with modern music trends. In terms of instruments, in addition to traditional instruments such as the two-stringed fiddle, monochord, and cymbal, many artists have added modern instruments such as guitars and keyboards to their Xam performances. Xam melodies not only tell ancient stories but also reflect modern life, from student love to contemporary social issues.
In terms of performance spaces, Xam has moved from the streets and market corners to more diverse stages, including professional music events, international music festivals and digital platforms. Some Xam genres are associated with a specific location such as trains, opera houses, rural markets, and water wharfs. However, Xam artists like Thu Phuong believe that it is still possible to recreate that space through images, sounds, lights, and costumes to touch the emotions of the audience. When innovating, it does not mean that we change completely, but we still have to maintain the traditional appearance while putting on a new breath. Many young people also use electronic music as the background for Xam artists.
In terms of performance style, Xam singing performances are no longer limited to the image of the artist sitting and singing, but have added supporting scenes and sound and light effects.
Artist Thu Phuong shared: “I also posted many videos on Facebook to promote Xam art. Many people, including foreigners, messaged me asking to learn Xam singing. Thanks to that, I not only perform but also teach and train Xam singing, both in person and online. I believe that if we love the profession enough, we will find a way to make a living from it, and help it develop further.”
