Chế Linh
Chế Linh is a Vietnamese popular singer, songwriter of Cham ethnicity. His stage name Chế Linh is a Vietnamese transcription of his Cham name, but, like many Cham people, he also has an official Vietnamese legal name, Lưu Văn Liên.
Early life
In 1958, when Che Linh was 16 years old, an event had changed the life of this young man from Champa. The President Ngo Dinh Diem had forbidden teaching Cham language in the Cham villages, a prestige language considered as a second language since the Bao Dai’s era.This discrimination toward the minority group created a lot of conflicts, confrontations, fights between the Champa and the Kinh inhabitants. When the Champa citizens came to town, they were stopped and being prosecuted heavily. Che Linh has been injured on several incidents however. The Vietnamese Government ignored these incidences and was not a bit concerned about it.
Che Linh moving to Saigon was considered his first escape. Traveling to an unknown and unfamiliar place, with no relatives and no friends to turn to. Disgust with the presidential ruling of President Ngo Dinh Diem, and a lot of patriotism for his people.
Fortunately, Che Linh found a small job with a respected employer. After nine months, Che Linh decided to go back to school. He attend Bo De and later to Nguyen Cong Tru.
Career
1960-1961
First time entering the musical industry.Biet Chinh Bien Hoa Musical Group was selecting new singers to entertain the far-away village in the province of Bien Hoa.
Che Linh participated and won first prize. Not considering singing as a career at the time, but only because the pay is considerably high. Two years later, the group faded and dissolved and Che Linh became a driver for heavy construction organization in Bien Hoa. The love for music and as a hobby, Che Linh continues to learn the music, train his voice and composed several songs. Che Linh's musical career strongly excelled, and his first two songs were born: "Dem buon tinh le” and “Dem buoc co don”
Recognizing that music is the shortest way to bring understanding between the Viet and the Chams and all the other ethnic groups, Che Linh promised to continue and excel in the musical industry. With his effort and talents, Che Linh became a famous star and had sang together with many Artists such as Anh Ngọc, Duy Khánh, Thái Thanh, Thanh Thúy, Minh Hiếu, Tùng Lâm. Continental Productions produced his first record, "Vùng Biển Trời Và Màu Áo Em”. Che Linh then signed with several Viet Nam Record Companies.
1964-1965
Produced and wrote many songs.1972
Awarded by Kim Khánh for Best Male Artist/Vocal which was organized by the Daily Newspaper Trang Den. The Government of South Vietnam then forbid Che Linh's voice and songs during the summer war period.1975
Che Linh hoping to have his music released from the forbidden list however, he was jailed as a war revolutionary at Song Mao, then My Duc.1978
Released from prison 28 months later.1980
Escaped to Malaysia and later settled in Canada where he now resides in Toronto.Presently performing, singing, writing and producing music
Compositions
All of Che Linh's songs which he wrote goes under the name of Tu Nhi.| Title | Year | Composer |
| Đêm buồn tỉnh lẻ | 1962 | Tú Nhi & Bằng Giang |
| 1962 | Tú Nhi & Bằng Giang | |
| Đếm bước cô đơn | 1963 | Tú Nhi & Bằng Giang |
| Thương Hận | 1966 | Tú Nhi & Hồ Đình Phương |
| Lời thương chưa ngỏ | 1966 | Tú Nhi |
| Ngày đó xa rồi | 1967 | Tú Nhi |
| Xin làm người xa lạ | 1967 | Tú Nhi |
| Nỗi buốn xa mạc | 1968 | Tú Nhi & Tuấn Lê |
| Lời kẽ đăng trình | 1968 | Tú Nhi |
| Trong tầm mắt đời | 1968 | Tú Nhi |
| Đoạn cuối tình yêu | 1968 | Tú Nhi |
| Đoạn khúc đọan trường | 1969 | Tú Nhi |
| Mai lỡ mình xa nhau | 1969 | Tú Nhi |
| Khu Phố ngày xưa | 1969 | Tú Nhi |
| Nụ Cười Chua Cay | 1970 | Tú Nhi & Song An |
| Mưa bên song cửa | 1972 | Tú Nhi |
| Người về trong chiêm bao | 1973 | Tú Nhi |
| Xin yêu tôi bằng tình người | 1974 | Tú Nhi |
| Mua buồn tỉnh lẻ | 1972 | Tú Nhi & Bằng Giang |
| Tình khúc đoạn trường 2 | 1976 | Tú Nhi |
| Tâm tư kẻ tù | 1976 | Tú Nhi |
| Lời lữ khách | 1980 | Tú Nhi |
| Sao đổi ngôi | 1976 | Tú Nhi |
| Xuân quê hương xuân lạc xứ | 1980 | Tú Nhi |
| Như giọt sương mai | 1980 | Tú Nhi |
| Ngày đó quê hương tôi | 1980 | Tú Nhi |
| 1980 | Tú Nhi | |
| Vùng trời đó tôi thương | 1980 | Tú Nhi |
| Đêm trên đường phố lạ | 1984 | Tú Nhi |
| Em trên đời ngẫn ngơ | 1995 | Tú Nhi |
| Hết rồi | 1996 | Tú Nhi & Anh Hoàng |
| 1997 | Tú Nhi | |
| Cứ tưởng còn trong tay | 1998 | Tú Nhi |
| Một trời thương nhớ | 2000 | Tú Nhi |
| Một góc phố buuồn | 2002 | Tú Nhi |
| Thành phố buồn 2 | 2002 | Tú Nhi |
| Nỗi buồn của tôi | 2002 | Tú Nhi |
| Bài ca không tựa | 2002 | Tú Nhi |