Quan Ho is not just an art form; it’s an age-old tradition deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of Bac Ninh and its neighboring areas. In the past, Quan Ho was a cultural activity that brought people together, allowing them to share their passion and love for traditional art. Unlike today, there were no boundaries between performers and audiences, and the notion of money or revenue was nonexistent. Quan Ho was a way for people to connect, make friends, and immerse themselves in the enchanting melodies of this pure local art.
Quan Ho in the Past: Endless Plays
In its early days, Quan Ho was a simple gathering where people would come together to enjoy each other’s company and exchange their love for traditional art. It was not a performance in the conventional sense but rather a “play” where participants satisfied their desire to connect with others who shared the same interests. Festivals, ceremonies, and parties were the usual occasions where Quan Ho was performed, offering both the singers and the audience a chance to savor this unique art form. Singers would appoint their friends to join them in singing Quan Ho until they were exhausted or the event ended. It was a way for people to find balance, relax, and find solace in the soothing melodies of Quan Ho songs.
In those bygone days, some Quan Ho singers even found their destined partners within the Quan Ho community. It was believed that they were born to sing Quan Ho together, forever bound by the fate of this unique art form.
Quan Ho Today: When Professionalism Sometimes Means Commercialism
After years of being forgotten during times of war and the nation’s reconstruction, Quan Ho has been revived by the people of Kinh Bac, albeit in a different form. While this is good news for those who love this art form, for the elderly in the area who yearn for the traditional Quan Ho, it may not be what they had hoped for. Quan Ho today has evolved into a more professional but also commercialized version of its former self.
The modern Quan Ho movement gained momentum with the establishment of the Bac Ninh Folk Group of Quan Ho in 1969. This marked a significant turning point in the development of Quan Ho, transforming it into a more polished and professional art form. However, this shift also meant that Quan Ho lost some of its original essence as a means to satisfy people’s demand for traditional art and became more of a commercialized product, performed for entertainment purposes rather than pure enjoyment.
Quan Ho Performance: Accessible Everywhere
Quan Ho today can be witnessed anywhere and anytime, no longer limited to special occasions. Travelers visiting Bac Ninh can easily find Quan Ho singers who are willing to perform for a small fee. Thanks to recorded CDs and the internet, people from other regions and even other countries can listen to Quan Ho at their convenience. While this broader accessibility may seem like good news, it also presents a challenge.
Quan Ho singers nowadays are not just passionate amateurs; they have become trained actors and actresses who perform meticulously choreographed songs. They undergo rigorous training, covering everything from gestures and movements to emotions and eye contact, ensuring their performances are perfectly staged. Singers now sing with anyone, not just their fated mates as in the past, leading to the disappearance of the unique artistic connection between Quan Ho singers.
However, in Bac Ninh, the birthplace of Quan Ho, there are still individuals – both elder singers and young enthusiasts – who cherish the memory of traditional Quan Ho. They dream of reviving the original essence of Quan Ho, free from commercial influences. These passionate individuals gather in clubs, exchanging knowledge and Quan Ho rhythms, and they pass on their wisdom to younger generations, hoping to witness the return of traditional Quan Ho in the foreseeable future.
Quan Ho remains a cultural treasure that continues to evolve and adapt to the changing times. It is up to us to appreciate and preserve its authentic essence while embracing its newfound popularity. Let us all celebrate Quan Ho – a pure local art that transcends boundaries and connects people through the power of music.
To learn more about Quan Ho and its rich heritage, visit Rừng Cúc Phương.
