Pedro Altamiranda
Encyclopedia
Pedro Altamiranda is a Panama
nian singer and composer known for his Carnival
songs. Altamiranda sings about the culture and politics of Panama using humorous Panamanian slang
. This attracts the attention of crowds, not only of adults but also young people who identify with his songs. Gilberto Santa Rosa
, in his song "Navidad En Panama", mentions Altamiranda as part of Panamanian culture.
Altamiranda started writing songs in 1979. Many of his political songs have been controversial, some of them censored
by different governments including the Manuel Noriega
dictatorship. In 1984 the song "Lecciones" was censored because it is about the electoral fraud
that year. With his burlesque
songs, he attacked the oppression of Panamanians. In February 2004, one week before Carnival, Altamiranda released the controversial "La Doña", a satire of Mireya Moscoso
.
Most of his songs are influenced by Calypso music
, salsa
, and the Carnival Brass and Drum bands of Las Tablas
, also known as Murgas.
He also composed a song about the former President of Panama, Martín Torrijos
, named "Catín le dijo a Martín" (Catin told Martin), which talked about how the President and the Finance Minister supposedly planned the new controversial tax law.
Some phrases in Pedro's songs, have become part of the Panamanian culture, among them:
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
nian singer and composer known for his Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
songs. Altamiranda sings about the culture and politics of Panama using humorous Panamanian slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
. This attracts the attention of crowds, not only of adults but also young people who identify with his songs. Gilberto Santa Rosa
Gilberto Santa Rosa
Gilberto Santa Rosa, also known as "El Caballero de la Salsa" , is a Puerto Rican bandleader and singer of salsa and bolero.-Early years:...
, in his song "Navidad En Panama", mentions Altamiranda as part of Panamanian culture.
Altamiranda started writing songs in 1979. Many of his political songs have been controversial, some of them censored
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
by different governments including the Manuel Noriega
Manuel Noriega
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno is a Panamanian politician and soldier. He was military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989.The 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States removed him from power; he was captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States. Noriega was tried on...
dictatorship. In 1984 the song "Lecciones" was censored because it is about the electoral fraud
Electoral fraud
Electoral fraud is illegal interference with the process of an election. Acts of fraud affect vote counts to bring about an election result, whether by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates or both...
that year. With his burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
songs, he attacked the oppression of Panamanians. In February 2004, one week before Carnival, Altamiranda released the controversial "La Doña", a satire of Mireya Moscoso
Mireya Moscoso
Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodríguez de Arias is a Panamanian political figure. She was the President of Panama from 1999 to 2004, representing the Arnulfista Party...
.
Most of his songs are influenced by Calypso music
Calypso music
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from African and European roots. The roots of the genre lay in the arrival of enslaved Africans, who, not being allowed to speak with each other, communicated through song...
, salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
, and the Carnival Brass and Drum bands of Las Tablas
Las Tablas
Las Tablas is the capital of the Panamanian province of Los Santos. It is located a few kilometers inland from the Gulf of Panama on the Azuero Peninsula. Las Tablas is a recognized national center of Panamanian folk: Art, music, gastronomy, architecture, culture and literature...
, also known as Murgas.
He also composed a song about the former President of Panama, Martín Torrijos
Martín Torrijos
Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino is a Panamanian politician and the former President of the Republic of Panama.Torrijos was elected President on May 2, 2004...
, named "Catín le dijo a Martín" (Catin told Martin), which talked about how the President and the Finance Minister supposedly planned the new controversial tax law.
Some phrases in Pedro's songs, have become part of the Panamanian culture, among them:
- "...Para las Tablas tu Rass"
- "...Nos Vemos en las Cómicas"
- "...Juega Vivo!"
- "...Guaro y Campana"