The Sad Idea Danced

Truth or Legend: it is said that the relation between the tango and religion started in about the twenties when a young couple danced in the Vatican in front of the Pope Pio X in order to prove that the dance is not sinful- as was claimed by the Holy See

The connoisseurs of dance are making it clear to revealing the mystery of the great masters: “Woman is not a puppet. She is something priceless that you hold in your arms”. I'm reminded of the scene from Gabrielle Anwar and Al Pacino in the film “The Scent of Woman” and their magnificent,” blind”, and yet so sensual, tango. I am wondering why I had such an exhilarating feeling while I watched the smooth steps, the unusual facial expressions and listened to the irresistible sounds. What is it that moves the stagnant, wakes up the dormant, guides the blind…? What is this passionate rhythm, divine and yet stern and seemingly sinful… ?

The Argentinian People's Religion

The tango lovers say that tango is almost a “religious rite” of the Argentinian people. At the beginning it was practiced in secrecy, quietly and proudly. It was only when the Europeans completely and cordially overtook this “religion” that it was brought into the daylight. They say that there are several forms of spiritual practice: music, song, dance and … unforgettable tango shoes.

Truth or Legend: it is said that the relation between the tango and religion started in about the twenties when a young couple danced in the Vatican in front of the Pope Pio X in order to prove that the dance is not sinful- as was claimed by the Holy See.

Legend says:

It is closely linked to the Argentinian identity; the tango was slowly shaped through various processes of cultural assimilation at the dawn of the twentieth century, when Buenos Aires was in the center of events. Buenos Aires then was still multinational and multiethnic; due partly to its colonial past and the remains of the black population and partly to the hundreds and thousands of European emigrants, of mostly Spanish and Italian origins. The dance form the “tango” is a product of a complex amalgam of melodic and harmonic elements from European music, with rhythms originating in Africa.

As one of the main South American ports, Buenos Aires had enough “cultural space” for the Andalusian flamenco, the South Italian melodies, the Cuban habanera, the African candombe and the local milonga- music of Argentinian gauchos. All these musical styles were moulded into something new, unique and complex; sometimes dirty, sometimes pure and civil, sometimes elegant and sensual, sometimes rough and rude, but always rhythmical, always passionate.

The Roots in The Laboring Class

In its evolution it was often compared to jazz in the USA . The tango had its beginnings among the working class, the peripheral (sometimes dangerous) neighbourhoods, the suburbs, the world of the compadritos (the sophisticated scum) and guapos, in brothels and cabarets, where the main task of the music was to entertain the awaiting clientele. These were all tough guys, well dressed, passionate, good dancers and good fighters, dangerously skilled with knives and always ready to fight, mostly over a woman. The small bands consisting of a violin, a guitar and a flute, with amateur musicians, gradually became the first typical porteno music and a dance that was usually merry and euphoric, and unlike others became introverted, aggressive and dramatic.

The full article can be found on pages 66-67 of Vol 2
2007 issue.