Google Doodle Celebrates Cartola's 115th Birthday

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Happy 115th Birthday, Cartola!

Today, Google Doodle pays tribute to Cartola, a legendary Brazilian composer, poet, and singer, on what would have been his 115th birthday. Cartola, whose birth name was Angenor de Oliveira, was born on this day in 1908 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cartola's journey into music began at an early age. He was drawn to music through his father, who played the guitar and cavaquinho (a Brazilian ukulele). Cartola's love for samba, a distinctive Brazilian music genre, was ignited during Carnival. He learned to play his father's musical instruments and quickly developed a passion for the art form.

Growing up, Cartola had to work various jobs to support his family, including positions as a painter, mason, bricklayer, and construction worker. It was during this time that he earned his nickname, "Cartola," due to the bowler hat he often wore to keep cement out of his hair.

By the age of 17, Cartola was already composing sambas and performing in local bars. He formed a lifelong musical partnership with Carlos Cachaça, whom he met in Morro da Mangueira. In 1928, they, along with a few other musicians, established one of Rio's first samba schools, the Estação Primeira de Mangueira, with Cartola serving as the director of harmony. Cartola's sambas gained recognition, and he achieved fame with the hit song "Divina Dama" in 1932. He brought the poetic language and emotional depth of samba to a wider audience through his radio program "A Voz do Morro," performances during Carnival, and renowned songs like "Não Quero Mais," "Sim," and "O Sol Nascerá."

A hiatus from music followed, but it was Cartola's future wife, Zica, who rekindled his passion for the art. Zica was a well-known cook, and together, they opened "Zicartola," a samba house and restaurant that became a vibrant gathering place for composers and dancers.

Cartola's own LP was not released until 1974, but it was an instant success, earning him awards and critical acclaim. Three more LPs followed, including the standout "As Rosas Não Falam," which was featured as a soundtrack in a popular soap opera. At the age of 70, Cartola had his first solo concert, and he continued to perform and compose for the rest of his life.

Today, Cartola's legacy endures as contemporary musicians play and record his timeless works, keeping his contribution to Brazilian music alive and well.

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