The various origins and etymological meanings of the word Oxalá, were one of the motivations for the choice of the title of the first single of Chandi’s debut album.
In keeping with the biography of the Portuguese singer-songwriter with Indian roots, it was with awareness that the invocation of Oxalá manifested itself in this premiere, taking into account the diversity of the roots of its interjection.
The video was shot in spring 2024 by Helena Gonçalves on a road trip between Chandi’s grandmother’s house, in a small village near the river Zêzere called Olalhas, and Beringel, where Celina da Piedade lives. Doing justice to the letter of the song, the trip from North to South was part of the storyboard of the video that illustrates this single, passing through destinations such as Vila de Rei, Montargil, and Constância among others. Much of the route was made by Nacional 2, which is illustrated in the video through the animations of Alice do Carmo Afonso.
“Oxalá” is a contemporary folk song, adorned with points of world music and fusion, bringing a familiar atmosphere, where several universes and stories dialogue.
Ana Pracaschandra, known as Chandi, is a Portuguese artist with Indian origins, who grew up with a creative urgency – the return to home. From an early age, several coordinates have driven her in a research where art has been the seamstress of her stories.
Chandi started her artistic career as an actress, storyteller and facilitator of creative research labs, crossing personal development and performing arts. In recent years, the artist has explored themes such as IDENTITY, MEMORY and TERRITORY, also as singer-songwriter and musical composer.
“Is life an eternal journey home, bringing all our dual and paradoxical pieces with us? I am interested in what is transversal to life. I am interested in the fabric that unites us as human beings, beyond cultural, social and personal differences. I am interested in reconciling myself with the sense of primordial duality.”
CHANDI
Technical sheet of the video
Chandi: realization, production, interpretation | Celina da Piedade: interpretation | Helena Gonçalves: capture | Francisco Costa: edition Daniel de Laranja: colour Alice do Carmo: animations
Nilson Dourado: guitarra clássica, guitarra acústica aço, viola caipira, baixo acústico e percussão: shaker, bandeja c/escovas, caxixi, pandeireta, reco-reco c/escova nylon, caixa grave, adufe
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