“If you want to know who I am. I’m such a miner. Daughter of Angola, Ketu and Nagô. I’m not kidding. I sing for the seven corners, I don’t fear breakdowns because I am a warrior”. These are the opening verses of the song Guerreira, which define who Clara Nunes was. A woman who spoke of freedom and fought against religious racism at a time when the topic was almost not talked about.
Clara seemed to be ahead of her time. Perhaps for this reason, 40 years after the singer’s death, her songs are still current and serve as inspiration for artists who reinterpret her work. Singer Fabiana Cozza is one of them. On the album Canto Sagrado, she re-recorded Clara’s songs in a work that became a tribute.
“This record is part of my desire to do work to exalt Clara Nunes. I think she is a symbol of Brazilianness. An example for everyone who wants to get to know music and Brazil”, he says.
Film Clara Estrela narrates the life of the singer – Wilton Montenegro/Disclosure
Trajectory
Clara Nunes was born in the interior of Minas Gerais. She had a humble childhood and started singing in the church choir. Soon, the girl’s talent drew attention and Clara won her first singing contest in the city where she lived, little Cedro, which today is called Caetanópolis.
The musical career gained momentum after Clara moved to Belo Horizonte. She was invited to perform on local radio stations, but at the time she sang boleros and romantic songs. In a short time, the powerful voice with a differentiated tone conquered the people of Minas Gerais and Clara received the title of best singer in Minas Gerais.
The road to success came to fruition when she moved to Rio de Janeiro. In the city, she looked at the sea for the first time and was enchanted. A passion that turned into inspiration for several songs throughout his career. Moving to Rio also put Clara in touch with the world of samba. The African rhythms fascinated the girl from Minas Gerais, who left the bolero aside and started singing samba.
Cover of the album Brasil Mestiço, released in August 1980 by EMI-Odeon. Photograph: EMI-Odeon/Disclosure
Clara’s approach to the sound of African drums also brought about changes in the artist’s religious life. She started to attend umbanda and candomblé terreiros and converted to religions of African origin. Daughter of Ogum and Yansã, she took to the stage songs that exalted the gods of African religions and quilombola traditions. Silvia Brugger, adviser to the Clara Nunes Institute, says that the singer broke barriers and used music to fight against religious prejudice. “Pai Edu, who was one of Clara’s Pais de Santo, said that she was a Mãe de Santo on stage. She promoted black culture and affirmed her religious identity”, she says.
In Rio de Janeiro, Clara frequented Vovó Maria Joana’s terreiro, where she sometimes stayed for several days. Dely Monteiro, granddaughter of the religious leader, says that Clara always sought the protection of the orixás and had a very affectionate relationship with Grandma Maria Joana.
“She arrived in search of spiritual protection and had a very close relationship with my grandmother. Clara did her duties and then stayed here at home and spent several hours talking to my grandmother”, he recalls.
Throughout her career, Clara Nunes won several musical awards. She was the first woman to sell over 100,000 records. Silvia Brugger says that the artist has broken barriers in terms of sales in the music industry. “To give you an idea, her 74 LP was released with 400,000 copies sold. An unprecedented number for that time”.
Photograph: FACEBOOK/Clara Nunes: The Warrior
Clara Nunes died at the age of 40 from heart failure resulting from anesthesia performed during surgery to remove varicose veins. Portelense at heart, she was honored by naming the street where the school block is located in Madureira.
The life of Clara Nunes is told in the musical “Deixa Clarear”, which has been running for ten years. On stage, actress Clara Santhana interprets the story of a warrior who has always fought to break prejudices.
“I immersed myself in Clara’s life because it was very necessary to tell this woman’s story. Clara Nunes is a figure that cannot be forgotten due to her importance in the construction of Brazilian music and in the appreciation of African and indigenous culture”, he argues.
