Veteran “xam” (ballads once sung by wandering blind musicians) artist HaThi Cau died at her home village in Yen Mo district, the northernprovince of Ninh Binh, on March 3, at the age of 85.

Cau, whose real name is Ha Thi Nam , was born in 1928 in a familywhich has three generations pursuing the art form. Making anacquaintance with “xam” singing while still in her mother’s womb, Cauaccompanied her mother to performances when she was only eight yearsold. At 16, Cau got married to a “xam” master, who owned six “xam”troupes in Ninh Binh.

Cau contributed significantlyto the art and cultural activities of Ninh Binh province. She performedin several national festivals, winning a number of gold medals. In 1998,she received the title Xam Artist awarded by Ninh Binh province.

In 2004, she was granted the titles Folk Artist by the VietnamAssociation of Folk Arts, and Meritorious Artist by the Government.

She also won the Dao Tan Awards honouring the people who have madesignificant contributions to the preservation of traditional art values.

A 35-minute movie about her life was presented tothe public in August 2011. Entitled Xam Do (The Red Xam Singing), themovie honoured the woman who was dubbed as “a living human treasure” ofthe “xam” art form.

A homage ceremony for theveteran artist will be held on March 4 at her village, while her funeralwill take place the next day at 9.30am at the Dam Thuan Cemetery in YenPhong commune, Yen Mo district, Ninh Binh province.-VNA