Indian Film 'Love Garden' Showcases Vietnamese Quan Ho Folk Singing Globally

The film "Love Garden," produced by the India Book of Records (IBR) based on an idea by Prof. Dr. Chu Bao Que, weaves Vietnam's traditional Quan Ho folk singing into a bridge connecting past and present. The storyline follows a young Indian woman from Madhya Pradesh state who travels to the heartland of Quan Ho in northern Vietnam and performance stages in Hanoi to trace memories of her late mother. Quan Ho, a form of Vietnamese folk singing featuring alternating male and female voices, was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Originating from the province of Bac Ninh and surrounding areas in northern Vietnam, Quan Ho songs often express themes of love, human relationships, and daily life, with performers sometimes improvising lyrics and engaging in vocal duels. This cinematic endeavor presents an opportunity for Vietnam's rich cultural heritage to be showcased on a global stage. In particular, within the context of fostering cultural exchange between India and Vietnam, the film holds the potential to further deepen friendly relations between the two nations. In recent years, Vietnam and India have been strengthening their ties across various sectors, including maritime cooperation, promoting friendship through yoga, and envisioning closer partnerships between cities like Can Tho and Indian counterparts. Through the beautiful melodies of Quan Ho and the universal theme of a mother-daughter bond, "Love Garden" aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and empathy. The release of this film can be seen as a symbolic event, bringing Vietnamese culture to audiences worldwide.