30 couples of traditional Opita music dancers took over the Plaza of the ‘José Eustasio Rivera’ Convention Center at the Departmental Adult Meeting: Traditional Bambuco, Pasillo and Rumba Campesina, in honor of the composer Luis Carlos ‘El Pipa’ Prada.
María Alejandra Ruiz Mallungo
@amperiodista
Traditional music and its dancers took over the Plaza of the ‘José Eustasio Rivera’ Convention Center at the Departmental Adult Meeting: Traditional Bambuco, Pasillo and Rumba Campesina that pays tribute to the composer Luis Carlos ‘El Pipa’ Prada at night yesterday, within the framework of the 63rd Bambuco festival in the city of Neiva.
“This is a culture that comes from our ancestors, it is the first dance that was done, before the new Sanjuanero that is danced now. For us it is very important to remember what ancient experiences were like, their costumes and customs; So when we dance we emphasize that this custom comes from yesteryear, that it has not been lost and we continue to remember it at these parties,” says Yaneth Ramírez, who, together with her dance partner, Freddy Martín Pardo, keeps the tradition of this traditional dance opita.
In total, there were 30 participating couples, divided into three categories: Traditional Bambuco, Pasillo Huilense and Rumba Campesina, who danced to these native music from the department of Huila and delighted the audience present.
“I invite everyone to participate, to not let their customs die, because that is where a healthy coexistence begins,” concluded Yaneth, regarding the activities of the San Pedro festivities, which will continue until July 1.
Luis Carlos ‘El Pipa’ Prada
“A diabolical legend that my grandparents told, spoke of the lucenda, of the poira of the ravine… they used to see illusions like that of the Mohan in the river, and a light made of a heap always jumping along the path,” begins the song ‘Mito Huilense’, a composition made by the illustrious Huilense composer, Luis Carlos ‘El Pipa’ Prada.
Born in Neiva on August 6, 1920. Son of Julian Motta Salas, one of the most respected experts on Cervantes’ work in Latin America and cousin of José Eustasio Rivera. His life was always linked to the Andean chords of Colombian music. Luis Carlos ‘El Pipa’ Prada was one of the first composers the department had. His life was always linked to the Andean chords of Colombian music. ‘El Pipa’ left an invaluable musical legacy for Huila and wrote a special chapter of creativity and love for art in the history of Colombian music.
His friendship with two colleagues in composition, Vicente Romero and Álvaro Córdoba, determined that they created the CVA record label, with which they recorded a good part of their pieces. Throughout his life, Prada, who died at the age of 92 on January 14, 2013, alternated his career and artistic production with the profession of automotive mechanics, in his own well-known company in the capital of Huila.
