By Isabel Ovalle
Samba, bossa nova, forró and lambada are only a few genres of Brazilian music which the only genuine Brazilian band in Doha has brought to Qatar. Topandira is a trio of young musicians with loads of experience on stage. All members are originally from the same city in North East Brazil and decided to take up the chance offered by Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel to export their talent to the Middle East.
The musicians were hired separately by the hotel and started playing together in Qatar, even though they come from the same city in Brazil, namely Natal. From the dunes of the safest city in their country, also located next to the sea, they moved here, a safe country of dunes as well.
Both cities have things in common and also many differences, but ultimately music is music, and especially Brazilian rhythms like Samba or Bossa Nova, are hugely popular here as well. The musicians met about seven years ago in Brazil where they worked as freelancers.
Sami Tarik, who plays the tambourine and other instruments, in addition to collaborating in the vocals, moved to Doha approximately seven months ago. “The power of Brazilian music is high in Arabic countries, Bossa Nova and Samba have a great influence,” he stated.
However, the sometimes carefree tunes that encourage people to get on their feet and dance, to some extent contrast with the local culture. “At first I was concerned about the repercussion of our music in Arab countries, but now I’m more confident there will be no trouble,” he added.
He has approximately fifteen years of experience on stage, but this is his first time in a Gulf country. Nevertheless, this country presents a mix of cultures and influences similar to that of Brazilian music.
“Brazilian music is a mix of many things, like the culture of Africa, Europe, the Arab world and America,” said the musician, while adding that subsequent to this mix, the result is very different from the original ingredients. “Our music is very creative and open. Our country is so big, practically a continent, which houses many cultures,” he added.
Tarik plays an instrument called the tambourine that came to Brazil from the Arab world. At first it was played by poor people, now it’s widely known and it has made its way back to the region to be played in Qatar.
The other male component of the group is Caio Padilha, who already knew the other members and also traveled to Doha with his traditional instruments. In his case, he brought along 11 rabecas, a type of folk violin played in Brazil. During the six week summer break the band will take from Qatar, the guitarist will teach a workshop about this instrument in Paris.
In addition, Padilha plays acoustic guitar. “I started when I was four years old, first the violin and later acoustic guitar. Here I play everything in Brazilian music and also compose my own songs,” he stated.
The guitar player explained the big influence the Arab culture has had in Brazil, for instance there is a big influence from Lebanon. “There are more people of Lebanon in Brazil then in Lebanon. That has a strong cultural power, which also brings instruments of Arabic origin. It’s very difficult to know what Brazilian music is like because it has so many influences,” he clarified.
With regard to the audience in Qatar, Caio admits that Brazilians are always very excited to listen to their music and, luckily, there’s always some new Brazilian watching the show. On her part, Silvia Sol, the main vocalist, considered that the local audience can sometimes be a bit cold. However, there’s always a surprise. “Some days I’m very tired and I think I haven’t done an excellent job, but at the end someone is applauding profusely,” said Caio.
Silvia Sol started singing when she was a child and has done it professionally for around 11 years. She’s also a painter and is learning to play different instruments and compose. “Brazilian music is very happy and broad. We sometimes play jazz and even blues with a Brazilian accent,” said the singer.
To keep her voice in an excellent condition to take on three hours of singing, she doesn’t drink cold water or alcohol and doesn’t smoke.
