“Thank God I live to tell about it”begins by saying the King Vallenato Náfer Santiago Durán Díaz, who at 90 years old is a reference note for note of music performed with accordion, box and guacharaca. Without much thought, he fixed his eyes on yesterday, but not before saying that it was a privilege to be a virtuous minstrel.
“I feel blessed to have contributed so that vallenato folklore is bigger every day in the world. My family’s share in this field has been good and will be evaluated by experts in the field”. He pauses a little and continues: “The past and the present I knowbut the future is uncertain. My children are the greatest treasure that life has given me, and the best thing is that they have followed the line of true vallenato, the one that cannot be invented or bought”.
Smile a little, and immediately, give a class of how times have changed in vallenata music. “Before, music didn’t have that much value. He was liked by revelers in a very small circle. Now it’s different because they like it and the performers earn an immense amount of money. Before, there were more late nights and long trips on donkeys, horses, boats or dilapidated cars. Little was seen of the silver. Of course, where the heart went, it went and was filled with emotion ”.
The old minstrel attached to his accordion that is part of his life He continued offering his concepts: “I am blessed by God. Thanks to Vallenato music I have achieved great honors because even at my age I am still playing and composing, letting inspiration flow in my soul, but this time dedicated to the church, because God is my strength”.
‘WITHOUT YOU’, SETS THE STANDARD
He entered the field of inspiration that he turned into songs, where give an account of those small-town stories that have given you joy, sadness, and is the reliable proof of a life registered in the notary of your heart.
“I like all my songs, because when you compose it is because you are inspired and you really feel it. The list of my songs is very long, but the most listened to is ‘Without you’, thanks to the interpretation of Carlos Vives, that son of folklore that I love very much. It is the song that the comadre Consuelo Araujonoguera liked the most”, the minstrel stated.
To be consistent with the story, he says that this song was dedicated to Rosibel Escorcia Wallswhen I was 20 years old: “She fulfilled all the expectations of love, but once I went to a brokerage for a long time and when I was in Mompox, Bolívar, I made the song for her in a minor key. When I got back, the first thing I did was serenade him. She opened the window and smiled at me. Right away I thought the song had gone down well.”
Naferito filled his face with joy when he remembered that glorious moment and continued delving into the memory: “After the kiss and the hug, she told me that she was pregnant. She already imagines my happiness. Soon after, Denia Esther was born, and later 11 more children”. The love story was plotted from a song in a minor key, where two hearts went without much haste to a major key.
In the middle of the dialogue, those present applauded because they were in front of the man who has spent his life interpreting authentic vallenato songs, giving folklore classes to his children and grandchildren so that they do not forget his sincere words. “The greatest patrimony that I am going to leave you is that you never forget the path of Vallenato folklore, so that the Durán dynasty is eternal. I don’t ask for more than that.”
Tears overcame the oak man and there were handkerchiefs left over to wipe them from his face, but those words that came from the depths of his soul ran stronger than the swollen Ariguaní river.
SONG THAT MOVED HIM
Later, with greater calm, he recalled the experiences of his trip abroad, exactly to France in 2009, when there he heard his famous song ‘La Chimichagüera’ sing in French. Land of Chimichagua I tell my friends that I can’t forget. when I remember my lady I cannot forget.
“That was great. Who would have thought that this small-town story of love and experiences would go so far? He wondered, remaining thoughtful and continued: “there I remembered Bernarda Cervantes, the woman who had a son with me, to whom I dedicated the song. It was incredible that this theme born in the heart of Chimichagua would cross borders, but it did.”
the old minstrel raised his memory to infinity in order to capture Rafael Orozco in the air with Emilio Oviedo, who They recorded it in 1975, but before he was told that in the body of the song he had used French, precisely with the word ‘Madame’. “When I remember my Madama, oh, it makes me want to cry. When I remember my Madama, Naferito would dress up”.
Smile and express: “See, the world is a rag. It occurred to me at that moment to tell Bernarda, great Lady”. And Naferito got dressed again, as he narrates in his song. Those are the memories that are traced in the soul. Those who are never forgotten because the current of feeling arrives just where the living water of yesterday is needed.
Náfer Durán, King Vallenato in 1976he stayed in his town El Pasowith all his load of experience and human quality, trying to freeze in his heart that accumulation of nostalgia and joy, which, after all, are the greatest record of that testament that he received from his parents.
Of course, tracing the steps of memory of that sad note where he spoke directly to Rosibel, the woman he needed to fill himself with joy and be able to break the horizon of destiny.
BY JUAN RINCÓN VANEGAS/ SPECIAL FOR EL PILÓN
