TEDx Talks - A viola e o Cerrado | Claudivan Santiado | TEDxGuará
The speaker recounts his early life in Tocantins, Brazil, where he was born into a musically inclined family. Despite facing hardships, including his mother's battle with tuberculosis, he found solace and strength in the resilience of the Cerrado, a region known for its tough environment. His connection to music began with a viola made from Buriti, a gift from his grandmother. Over time, he embraced the viola and the traditional music it represents, which he sees as a reconnection to his roots. He highlights the significance of simplicity and nature, advocating for a return to these values through his music. The speaker's journey illustrates how music can serve as a bridge to one's heritage and a source of personal fulfillment.
Key Points:
- The speaker's early life was marked by challenges, including his mother's illness and family separation.
- He found strength in the resilience of the Cerrado, drawing parallels between its toughness and his own journey.
- A viola made from Buriti, given by his grandmother, sparked his lifelong passion for music.
- He emphasizes the importance of roots and simplicity, using music to reconnect with his heritage.
- The speaker advocates for appreciating nature and simplicity, which he believes are essential for well-being.
Details:
1. 🎶 The Beautiful Sound of the Viola
- The segment focused on the unique and beautiful sound of the viola, highlighting its role in orchestral and solo performances.
- The viola is often described as having a deeper and warmer sound compared to the violin, which makes it a crucial component in creating rich and harmonious orchestral music.
- Viola players are encouraged to explore the versatility of the instrument, which can perform both melodic and harmonic roles within an ensemble.
- The segment suggested that the viola's sound quality adds a unique texture to music, often bridging the gap between the violins and cellos in an orchestra.
2. 🌾 A Childhood in Tocantins
- The sound of the viola caipira is described as one of the most beautiful sounds the speaker has heard, indicating a deep cultural and personal connection to this instrument.
- The speaker shares a personal history of transformation from being born in the region of Goiano to becoming a Tocantinense, highlighting a strong sense of identity rooted in their birthplace.
- The speaker grew up in a challenging environment in the northern part of Tocantins, in a small village named Cachoeirinha, which fostered resilience and strength, mirroring the characteristics of the local Cerrado ecosystem.
- The Cerrado is noted for its resilience, with trees having more extensive root systems underground than what is visible, symbolizing strength and hidden depth.
- The speaker emphasizes the enduring nature of 'música raiz' or root music, comparing it to the deep roots of the Cerrado, suggesting that this genre of music will persist due to its foundational cultural significance.
3. 👨👩👧 Family Struggles and Resilience
- The speaker's father, Raimundo Santiago Costa, was a prominent regional musician, who influenced family dynamics with his public presence and artistic legacy.
- In the late 1960s, the speaker's mother, then 25, battled tuberculosis, a condition as lethal as modern-day cancer, which was a significant family challenge.
- A pivotal moment came when a doctor advised terminating a life-threatening pregnancy, but the mother, embodying resilience, chose to continue, showcasing the family's profound commitment to life.
- Despite limited resources, the family navigated these health challenges, reflecting their strength and cohesive support system in face of adversity.
4. 🚶♂️ Childhood Adventures and Traditions
- During the speaker's early childhood, a critical health issue required the speaker's mother to urgently relocate to Rio de Janeiro for treatment, leading to prolonged hospitalization for 3 years.
- This incident caused significant family displacement; the children were distributed among various relatives, highlighting the logistical challenges faced by the family.
- The father, responsible for providing financially, had to travel extensively to play music at dances, signifying the economic strain placed upon him.
- The speaker, then only 2 months old, was left with an aunt known for her vanity and cheerfulness, illustrating the unique family dynamics and emotional adjustments required during this period.
5. 🎻 Discovering the Passion for Viola
- The speaker recounts traveling 70 km by truck and 7 km on foot to visit his grandmother, emphasizing a connection to nature and rural life, which played a role in shaping his early experiences.
- Childhood memories include eating wild fruits and crafting toys, such as creating a ball from mangaba sap, reflecting creativity and resourcefulness.
- Despite being a musician from age 14 and playing with his father, the speaker initially had no plans to play the viola.
- In Brasília, exposure to caipira music and artists like Almir Sater, Renato Teixeira, and Rolando Boldrin inspired him.
- In 2005, the speaker bought a viola, igniting a profound passion that shifted his musical focus entirely to this instrument.
6. 🌱 Embracing Simplicity and Nature
- The speaker narrates a 20-year journey of integrating the viola into their married life, culminating in acceptance and support from their spouse.
- The viola signifies a 'reencontro de alma' (soul reunion), representing a deep-rooted connection initiated by a gift from the speaker's grandmother at age 12.
- Playing the viola allows the speaker to reconnect with their cultural heritage, serving as a bridge to their past and a continual source of inspiration.
- The speaker emphasizes music, and specifically the viola, as a way to embrace simplicity and nature, suggesting that these elements are essential to understanding the sacred.
- Nature is portrayed as perfect, providing all necessities, with the speaker advocating for an awakening of consciousness to appreciate and reconnect with it.
7. 🎵 Singing About Simplicity and Life
- The song 'Simplicidade' emphasizes the value of simplicity in life, stating that 'simplicity is very important,' and contrasts rural and urban life with imagery like 'a small town lights up at 6 PM' compared to 'in the big city, a bunch of lights turn on.'
- Urban life is depicted without traditional rural elements such as horses or chickens, with 'our ranch is an apartment,' yet the song finds joy in simplicity, repeating that 'simplicity is good for the soul and heart,' highlighting the therapeutic benefits of a simple life.
- Audience participation is encouraged through singing, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
- The song transitions to 'Chalana,' which tells a cultural story of a boat navigating the Paraguay River, embedding themes of separation and longing, thereby enriching the cultural narrative and emotional depth.
8. 🎤 Nostalgic Tunes and Memories
- The song discussed was selected by Estadão as one of the most remembered songs in Brazil, highlighting its cultural significance and enduring popularity.
- The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and emotional connection, which may contribute to its lasting impact on listeners.
- The song's setting and imagery, such as 'a little ranch by the ground full of owls where the moon shines,' paint a vivid picture that resonates with the audience, enhancing its memorability.
- The emotional themes of longing and reminiscence are universally relatable, suggesting why the song remains a staple in Brazilian music history.