(VOVworld) - Dong Lim pagoda in Sai Dong ward, Long Bien district, Hanoi at first looks like other village pagodas in the Northern region. But behind it, there is a Cheo, or Traditional opera singing class, which has existed for more than 20 years. VOV reporter will take you there.

The head of the Cheo singing class is the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Phuong whose real name is Le Van Quang. Quang was born into a musical family. His parents were Tuong or Classical Drama artists. At a very young age, Quang followed his parents into performing Tuong in different villages.  Quang then studied Tuong singing at the Mai Dich Culture and Arts Center. In stead of following his parents to be a Tuong artist, however, Quang became a monk. But Quang preferred Cheo to Tuong as it is simple and close to people’s lives especially to Buddhism. Quang had practiced hard to become a Cheo artist. His life is closely attached to this style. Quang opened a Cheo singing class at Dong Lim pagoda. According to the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Phuong, the most important thing is the talent and passion for the art form. He said Cheo singing also helped encourage Buddhist followers to carry out good deeds in life. Most Venerable Thich Thanh Phuong: "Many children have a talent for art but they cannot afford to pursue it due to their difficult conditions. I teach them Cheo singing so that they can pass the exams for colleges.  Some can even make an income from performing". 

Everyday, both teacher and pupils passionately practice Cheo melodies. Cheo performances require lots of practice and effort. The learners are taught every movement and gesture and how to suitably interpret each character. The Most Venerable also invites some lecturers from the Central Arts Teaching University and artists from the Vietnam Traditional Folk Theatre to teach the class. Nguyen Thi Bien is a Cheo artist: "Amidst the bustle of life, the pagoda manages to preserve and develop the Cheo genre. Many artists have grown up and developed their talent in this class. The Most Venerable Thich Thanh Phuong has preserved the cultural values of Cheo which has almost fallen into oblivion". 

Over the past 20 years, more than 300 students have been trained in this class. Many of them have become Cheo artists at the Vietnam Traditional Folk Theatre and other local theaters in Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. The Most Venerable Thich Thanh Phuong still works tirelessly everyday to train generations of Cheo artists for the future.