Kids listening and dancing to Patubatê’s music at the workshop. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, music is in the ear of the listener. Using scraps and recyclable material as music instruments, Brazilian music group Patubatê performs at different stages in the capital during the last few days, sweeping every audience off its feet.
Patubatê arrived here on Thursday evening to present their unique style of music to Pakistan. Their first performance on Friday evening got guests to take off their jackets and loosen their ties at a formal sit-down reception dinner organised by The Brazilian Embassy in Islamabad in collaboration with Serena Hotel.
The evening started with four-course Brazilian meal specially made for the evening. Escondidinho da Camarao — Shrimp in Mashed Potato Gratin— Picadinho a Brasileira —Brazilian chopped beef with white rice and vegetables — were among the South American dishes on offer.
Minutes after dinner, the stage lights brightened and Patubatê took over. Dressed in neon shirts and white pants, the musicians were accessorised with car parts, tools, buckets, pans and large barrels to create a unique sound.
As the lights turned cosmic and the drum beats picked up, many got up to show off their moves in front of the stage. “Their music is unbelievable; who knew spare parts can be used to make such amazing sounds. It’s a night to remember,” said Sara Amjad, a guest.
Musicians Fred Magalhães, Fernando Mazoni, Felipe Fiuza, Pablo Maia and the DJ Leandronik started the group in 1999 in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia.
Patubatê is highly influenced by Stomp, the Blue Man Group and Hermeto Pascoal, uniting creativity with the valorisation of Brazilian rhythms such as maracatu, samba, funk, afro, and baião among others. Supported by DJ Leandronik, the performance as such was seen for the first time in Pakistan. “It’s the kind of music that just energises you no matter how tired you are,” said Ali Khattak, a guest.
Workshop with children
The musicians believe that scrap is not junk, it is music. To enthral a different crowd and teach a positive lesson, an activity with 60 underprivileged children from Lettuce Bee Kids and Mashal Model School was held at the Brazilian Embassy. Most of the children were garbage pickers and beggars. Dancing to unfamiliar tunes helped the initially shy children to open up.
The musicians then taught the children how to make music out of bottles, boxes and other kinds of recyclable materials. At the end, the musicians showed the children how to play capoeira, a Brazilian martial arts form that mixes music and dance. Zubair, 9, a garbage picker from Bari Imam, said he had a great time. “I was only trying to make noise, but it sounded like music,” he said with a laugh.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, musician Fred Magalhães, said it was extremely touching to have done this cultural exchange with the children and that they also learned a lot with the kids. Brazil’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alfredo Leoni told The Express Tribune, although it’s a drop in the sea, but the moment of happiness seen on these children’s faces was priceless.
Patubatê will perform on Sunday at 6pm at the Pakistan National Council for the Arts.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.
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