The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IN a remarkable milestone, youthful Mutare-based mbira outfit, DezeRawasu, has been enlisted among the 45 arts groups from across the globe set for the final selection for the Intercontinental Biennial Exhibitions scheduled for Columbia, Argentina and Brazil at the end of this year and in 2024.
DezeRawasu was picked from 19 543 applications and made it to the 625 selected artistes and later made it to the 45 selected finalists.
The 45 finalists are classed into three categories which are Arte (Architecture, painting and sculpture), Design (Graphic, Interior, Industrial and Fashion) and Performance (Music, dance and theatre).
In their category, the mbira group will battle it out with Mariana Preda from Romania and Douglas Ogutu from Kenya.
The Intercontinental Biennial is an organisation that promotes the art and design performance industry. The Biennial crosses continents with the best artworks and visual expressions of artistes from all over the world.
The organisation is based in the United States, in the City of Miami, State of Florida.
The group’s submission which sailed through to the last round of selection was an immaculate “Rudo Rwangu”, which is a live video recording.
The recording is four minutes and 50 seconds long and features Celebrate Africa Band.
The song’s theme revolves around showing care and undiluted love to someone in their time of need, only for them to leave without saying goodbye or showing any gratitude.
“The lyrics make use of Zimbabwean African idioms such as ‘Kurera imbwa nemukaka magwana inofuma yokuruma’.
The live recording took place at Reps Theatre in Harare and is part of the Celebrate Africa compilation live album.
“We are upbeat that we will excel and explore the world. We are already grateful to where we are now. It is really a milestone,” said one of the group members, Kevin Dozwa.
The project was produced by Blessing Bled Chimanga and Shokorashe Vere. It was sponsored by Kutandara and Kim Butler.
Nigel Mutasa leads the vocals, with Dudzai Mutsago providing backing vocals and playing the traditional mbira instrument.
Celebrate Africa Band comprises four backing vocalists, a bassist and a drummer. Overall, the song is a beautifully crafted project that captures the essence of Zimbabwean-African music and culture.
DezeRawasu is a Zimbabwean mbira traditional music ensemble composed of eight youthful and versatile musicians.
The band was formed in 2018 and went on a sabbatical in 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The group came out tops at the Chibuku Manicaland provincial finals before faltering at the national competitions held in Harare last weekend.
The DezeRawasu outfit bridges the gap between the old and new generations by performing both folk and original songs with a contemporary meaning using traditional rhythms like mhande, mbende, mbakumba, and dinhe. The group has performed live at national events and at social gatherings.
