For Duong Nham, the passion for composing songs about mountainous region has been integrated into his single breath and become a vital part of his whole life. With profound melodies and simple lyrics inspired by folk songs of the Northwest mountainous ethnic groups, songs by musician Duong Nham highlight the beauty of the Fatherland and the author's earnest love for the land that he considers his second homeland.
Duong Nham was born in 1942 and joined the Border Guard in 1964. After two months as a rookie, he was sent to Si Ma Cai Border Post. More than a year later, due to his artistic talent, he was assigned to the art troupe of the Public Security force of Lao Cai province.
The musician's footsteps have spread across many border areas from Y Ty, A Lu, A Mu Sung, Muong Khuong, Pha Long, Nam Chay to Cao Bang and Lang Son. Through songs composed by Duong Nham, it can be said that he is a musician of the border and border guards.
In 1984, he was discharged from the army and returned to reside in Yen Bai. With his violin and accordion, he composed many songs in different music genres to serve soldiers and local people. He devoted himself for singing movements. He hardly refuse any requests from any sectors to compose songs and arrange stage performance for amateur art teams for many shows, through which he earned uncountable number of medals.
While composing songs, he often exploits musical materials from the cultural quintessence of ethnic groups of Tay, Nung, Giay, Cao Lan, and Mong. Duong Nham's songs are often topical with clear message. They are structured according to a certain theme which is expressed in a poetic manner.
The success of the first work "Singing in the border forest" gave the musician more motivation to compose more songs. Another song - "The love of the Dao girl" – fully shows all the talent of the musician, a genuine artist of Yen Bai. Meanwhile, many other songs such as "Lullabies in the border night”; "Border guard station”; "By the fire of the border village”, "Nameless streams”; "My beloved bird sounds”; "The love of the Dao girl” also leaves good impressions on audience.
One of his most famous song is "Singing in the border forest", which helped him earn the gold medal at the Army Show in 1974.
"Singing to the homeland seeds" has become a popular song, which is included printed in many song collections including "Singing in Hoang Lien Son", "Border station" in 1978; "Lullaby in the border night" in 1980; "Sending sound of musical instruments to you" in 1982; "The love of the Dao girl" in 1984; "Singing about the Capital" in 1984, "Lotus in the Day village" in 1985; and "Lights on the train station" in 1987.
Musician Duong Nham confided: "In our generation, each person comes to literature and art in general and music in particular in different paths, but we share a similarity, that is love – the love that seems to be one-sided but extremely passionate and multidimensional.”
"Cultural quintessence is a common property, whoever exploits it a lot and uses it skillfully will succeed. The quintessence of the ancients must be obtained based on the new and profound insight of the people of the new time," he said.
Quang Thieu
