Thach Thia Se Ray (first row, second from left) and members of a Khmer art troupe in Tra Vinh province. (Photo: VOV)

Thach Thia Se Ray has spent more than 45 years involved with the traditional arts of the Khmer people. Performances directed by him have won a number of prestigious awards and certificates of merit. Se Ray himself won a silver medal at a professional art festival.

“I fell in love with Khmer traditional arts at a young age and taught myself to play the flute. A teacher living nearby taught me how to play the Khmer fiddle. At that time, I became very attached to music. As people got to know my music, I was invited to participate in and organize performances for many competitions and festivals and won some awards. For me, music is both a passion and a profession,” he said.

Se Ray has been invited to many Khmer pagodas in Tra Vinh province to teach Ngu Am, a traditional Khmer music ensemble that performs ceremonial music at temples and rituals. He doesn’t mind traveling long distances or enduring rain or heat, wishing only to contribute to the preservation and promotion of traditional Khmer art. Many of his students have been successful in competitions and festivals.

Thạch Chom Rong, one of Se Ray’s students, was taught to play several  musical instruments. "I started studying music in 2014. First, I learned to play the fiddle, and later the flute. Thanks to Se Ray’s teaching, many people can now play and perform on Khmer musical instruments. I’ve moved on to crafting my own musical instruments,” he said. 

Thach Thia Se Ray teaches the children to play traditional musical instruments of the Khmer. (Photo: VOV)

Thach Thi Se Ray has written many songs praising the homeland and romantic love.

Thach Hoang Nam, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Phu Can commune, said that Se Ray has made significant contributions to the development of the Khmer cultural heritage. “Over the years, he has helped organize local music programs at provincial and regional festivals, winning many awards. He’s a role model for the younger generation.”

Now retired, Thach Thia Se Ray remains dedicated to collecting and researching Khmer culture. He continues to inspire the younger generation to help preserve and promote the traditional arts of the Khmer people.