Biography
Although only semi-literate, the small-scale farmer Antônio Gonçalves da Silva preferred remaining on his own soil to joining the wandering cantadores who roamed the drought-ravaged northeastern Brazilian backlands voicing their hardships. He took the name Patativa do Assaré from a bird famed for its plaintive song. Widespread notice arrived when Luiz Gonzaga recorded the toada de retirante “Triste Partida” to strong success. In the late 1970s Fagner placed Assaré’s “Vaca Estrela e Boi Fubá” on the album Raimundo Fagner, a song later covered by Pena Branca e Xavantinho. Fagner brought him before large southeastern audiences through a series of concerts, yet Assaré declined to quit the austere life of arid Serra de Santana for the path of a popular performer.
Four slim poetry collections issued by researchers and acquaintances in limited printings—now collector’s items—appeared as Inspiração Nordestina (1957), Patativa do Assaré (1970), Canto da Patativa (1976), and Cante Lá Que Eu Canto Cá (1978). Since the 1970s his verses have been taught at Sorbonne University’s Universal Popular Literature program in Paris, France. In 1979 he taped the live LP Patativa do Assaré while reading selections at the José de Alencar theater in Fortaleza, Ceará. He then undertook further joint appearances with Fagner; their set at the Summer Festival of Guarujá, São Paulo, drew strong press approval and coincided with the release of his second album, A Terra é Naturá. Consistent with his focus on social themes, that record contained “Antônio Conselheiro,” recounting the religious fanatic who ignited the violent War of Canudos. On March 9, 1994, his eighty-fifth birthday was honored with the LP Patativa do Assaré/85 Anos de Poesia.
Four slim poetry collections issued by researchers and acquaintances in limited printings—now collector’s items—appeared as Inspiração Nordestina (1957), Patativa do Assaré (1970), Canto da Patativa (1976), and Cante Lá Que Eu Canto Cá (1978). Since the 1970s his verses have been taught at Sorbonne University’s Universal Popular Literature program in Paris, France. In 1979 he taped the live LP Patativa do Assaré while reading selections at the José de Alencar theater in Fortaleza, Ceará. He then undertook further joint appearances with Fagner; their set at the Summer Festival of Guarujá, São Paulo, drew strong press approval and coincided with the release of his second album, A Terra é Naturá. Consistent with his focus on social themes, that record contained “Antônio Conselheiro,” recounting the religious fanatic who ignited the violent War of Canudos. On March 9, 1994, his eighty-fifth birthday was honored with the LP Patativa do Assaré/85 Anos de Poesia.
Albums
