Madagascar loses a great artist and a radio pioneer. Wednesday morning in Antananarivo, Sammy Rabenirainy died in hospital as a result of Covid-19. He was 66 years old. Violinist, lyricist, he was one of the leading figures in the mythical group “Lôlô sy ny tariny”. During the day, testimonies of sympathy flowed online.
Big brother Sammy Rabenirainy is gone. And with that, a large part of DNA: ti Lôlô sew new tariny. This Tananarivian group, the forerunner of popular and protest texts, had emerged in the mid-1970s in the midst of a socio-political crisis.
“The end of an era”
For Bekoto, a member of the other iconic Mahaleo group, “Sammy’s departure is the end of an old wave in the 1970s. Protest songs, protest songs. It’s the end of an era … ”
Bernard, in the sixties, has vibrated for years to the rhythm of their poetic texts, but without remission that shows the daily reality. He says he is nostalgic for this time, even though he is convinced “when the artists leave their songs forever”. “To me, their songs are like fairy tales. For example, Lemizo tells the story of a little boy who wants to take a stage coach to conquer Texas. It’s like a fairy tale, not a song that tells everything. ”
A radio enthusiast
But Sammy Rabenirainy was not only a good musician. He was passionate about radio and the promoter of this medium and left his mark on a whole generation of technicians and journalists. He was also the initiator in 2012 for the creation of the coalition of radio stations for the consolidation of peace in Madagascar (bringing together 25 stations, editor’s note).
Mbolatiana Raveloarimisa, the association’s executive secretary, testified and moved: “He has trained so many people, it is a great loss. It is as if the child’s father is no longer there and we must at all costs continue to ensure that this child can become very large and value all of Sammy’s knowledge. It’s an idol leaving. He did his part of the job, now it’s up to us to continue. ”
The one who cared for his country, the traditions of his country and his ancestors, left this Wednesday to join them.
