by Thai Loc-Thu Anh
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Old flame: Ngo Vu Bich Diem, who was the muse that launched Trinh Cong Son's eternal love poem, Diem Xua. |
For most Vietnamese, it is the mother of all love songs, a paean to the exquisite misery of being in love and of yearning to see one's beloved.
For five decades, Diem Xua (Old Flame), has touched millions of hearts and is arguably the most popular work of the late composer Trinh Cong Son.
And for five decades, millions of fans have wondered who Diem was. Did she exist? What did she look like?
"I am Diem."
Simply, without any fuss, a Vietnamese-American sociologist solved the mystery in Hue last week.
Ngo Vu Bich Diem's "coming out" event was a special reunion of old friends, teachers and students organised by another member of the Vietnamese diaspora, Thai Kim Lan, a Hue native who now teaches philosophy in Germany.
"I'm a northern girl. I followed my father, a French language teacher, to live in Hue in 1952. My family lived in a house on Phan Chu Trinh Street near Son's house. I first met Son when he came to my house with his friend, artist Dinh Cuong," said Diem.
She said she was too young at that time to know about Son's feelings.
"Son composed and presented me some of his songs. I love Diem Xua. I think Son wrote the song to highlight the beauty of Hue, its people, its music and poetry," she said.
Son probably had fallen in love with Diem, but did not declare it. He has written that every evening he'd wait to see Diem walk slowly past the window of his house.
One day, Diem left a flower on the fence of his house, and the stage was set for one of the most soulful lovesick songs that critics have said highlights the deep beauty of the Vietnamese spirit and captures the expressive power of the Vietnamese language.
Diem Xua was penned in 1960, using the imagery of Diem in pouring rain, drawing out the deep anguish of missing a loved one.
Diem left for Sai Gon (now HCM City) soon after for her university education, and later moved to the US. Her return home was awaited with bated breath by the more than 100 people who'd gathered last week at the Lieu Quan Buddhism Cultural Centre in Hue city as well as the millions of Trinh Cong Son fans.
"Son and his songs, particularly Diem Xua, break the barrier of language, art, religion and culture, bringing Vietnamese language and music to the world," said Nguyen Huu Y Yen, one of Son's young fans.
This is borne out by the immense popularity of the song in Japan, where Diem Xua was first introduced through the voice of Khanh Ly, recognised as the singer who is said to have been made to perform Son's songs. Khanh Ly performed Diem Xua in Osaka in 1970, leaving a strong impression on the audience.
The song later was written in Japanese, and Utsukushii Mukashi is listed among the country's top ten favourite love songs.
Many foreign artists, both amateur and professional, love singing Diem Xua, and the song is an entry-point into Vietnamese culture for many. In Viet Nam, the song has created as many Diems as there are people who love the song, ensuring that it will be cherished forever.
Born in Hue in 1939, Trinh Cong Son became popular in 1957 with his first song, Uot Mi (Crying Eyes). He went on to become southern Viet Nam's most famous songwriter and author of several anti-war collections including Ca Khuc Da Vang (Yellow-skinned People's Song), Kinh Viet Nam (Vietnamese Prayer) and Ta Phai Thay Mat Troi (We Must See the Sunlight).
The songs in these collections were highly popular with students and young people during the American War in 1960s and 70s.
Radio Sai Gon played Noi Vong Tay Lon (Joining Hands for Solidarity), his famous song, on April 30, 1975, the liberation day of South Viet Nam.
"Son is not only a songwriter but is also a patriot. He shows his love for the country and its people, and fights for peace through his music," said Lan.
His albums of romantic songs, such as Ru Tinh (Lullaby to Love), Khoi Troi Menh Mong (Smoke in the Open Sky), Tu Tinh Khuc (My Lyrics), are still cherished by millions.
After the liberation of the South, Son continued writing songs and enjoyed great success with both his lyrics and melodies.
His songs in praise of post war life, such as Huyen Thoai Meï (Mother's Legend), Em Ra Nong Truong, Anh Ra Bien Gioi (Girls to Farms, Boys to the Border) and Sai Gon Mua Xuan (Sai Gon in Spring) continue to inspire and thrill millions.
He died in 2001 after a prolonged illness. — VNS