A performance of the Apsara, one of the traditional Khmer dances. Photo baodantoc.vn

An endless passion for the art of traditional dance has nurtured a strong motivation for Thạch Thị Ni Ta, 26, from the southern province of Vĩnh Long to strive her best to preserve Khmer ethnic dance.

Ni Ta, of the Khmer ethnic group, is spending most of her time honing her skills to become a professional dancer at the provincial Culture and Art Centre (CAC), and at the same time teaching young people, particularly children, Khmer folk dance.

Her remarkable achievements in her career and her ardour for teaching have helped inspire and spread traditional dance among local Khmer community, making a great contribution to publicising ethnic dance.

Thach Thi Ni Ta practises dancing with members of the Khmer ethnic singing and dancing team of Vĩnh Long Provincial Cultural and Arts Centre.

Ni Ta has gained numerous achievements during her ethnic dance performing career, including a gold medal in a national contest held in 2020 in Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu, a bronze medal for the dance "Love of the Land" at a contest held in Thừa Thiên Huế in December 2020, and a second prize for performing a Khmer dance at the 8th Southern Khmer Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival 2022 held in Sóc Trăng.

In 2021, she was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of Vĩnh Long Province's People's Committee for her achievements.

Ni Ta said she "fell in love" with the dance when she was still a small child, watching artists from dance troupes performing during a visit to her native village in Tân Mỹ Commune.

"Every time I saw them singing and dancing, I loved it and went home to practise myself. In the 8th grade, I participated in dance activities at school and was selected for a talent dance class, and gained more motivation and confidence to perform," she said.

Thạch Thị Ni Ta tutors children to perform Khmer dance in Tân Mỹ Commune, Trà Ôn District, Vĩnh Long Province. VNA/VNS Photo Lê Thúy Hằng

Ni Ta was admitted to the Traditional Dance Faculty at Trà Vinh University after much effort and practices to understand the beauty of the dance.

After graduating from university, she worked at the CAC as one of the core members of the Khmer singing and dancing team.

In 2018, she had the chance to participate in dance training classes organised by Vĩnh Long's CAC for young people in localities with a large ethnic Khmer population.

Realising that the children had little chance to approach traditional dance, she went to the villages to teach the basic skills of ethnic dance.

Ni Ta (centre) has transformed her passion of Khmer dance to many children in Trà Ôn District through her class. VNA/VNS Photo Lê Thúy Hằng

Ni Ta has consistently tried to maintain her classes and uses her spare time to gather Khmer youngsters to help them with new lessons.

During the class, she not only tries to shape each movement and gesture for the students but also encourages and supports them to take part in competitions and performances as a way to hone their skills.

"I have conditions to study and master many dances, and now I want to pass them on to my students," she said.

"Through the class, the students feel confident to perform on stage. This is useful for them to express their talents. It is also an opportunity for them to spread their Khmer cultural identity to everyone."

Thạch Thị Hồng Thắm who has been attending Ni Ta's class for more than seven months and has now mastered many movements of the Khmer dance.

Thắm said she was very excited every time the teacher announced the gathering date to prepare for a performance.

“At home, my mother knows how to dance but doesn't have time to teach me, nor does she know many dances like those of Ni Ta. Studying in Ni Ta's class, I know much about Khmer dances. I can confidently perform at cultural events in schools or at local tourist destinations such as pagodas and temples," Thắm said.

Thạch Nên, a native of Trà Ôn District, said he was so happy to see children excited and interested in learning traditional dance.

He believes dancing is an indispensable activity on occasions and celebrations such as New Year festival, contributing to the spiritual life of the Khmer.

"It is excellent to teach local children about the traditional dances and have them participate in local cultural activities. This will help promote the value of the ethnic culture," Nên said.

Lê Hoàng Nam, deputy director of the Vĩnh Long CAC, said that Ni Ta was an outstanding dancer.

"As a Khmer girl, Ni Ta has shown responsibility and dedication to traditional culture, and spends a lot of time going to localities to share her knowledge with young people and children. This has contributed to creating a youthful force for artistic movements in areas where there are many Khmer people," Nam said.

This year, the CAC will continue opening more dance classes for the young and establish six more performance teams in nearby areas.

Nam said the centre would create better conditions for Ni Ta to open dance classes to foster Khmer people's artistic talents, and organise more performances for local people. VNS