Book recounts the life of Miriam Batucada, an androgynous samba icon

Miriam Batucada, who shined in the 1960s and 1970s, had a career marked by innovation and boldness. Known for her androgynous image and vibrant presence at TV Record music festivals, the samba singer saw her success wane, culminating in a tragic ostracism. She died at the age of 47 from a massive heart attack, and her body was found 20 days after her death, in complete anonymity.

Now, the life and work of this unique artist are rescued in “The Incomplete Story of Miriam Batucada”. This new book, with almost 400 pages, is accompanied by a posthumous album, bringing together 18 tracks composed by Miriam and performed by artists such as Zeca Baleiro, Maria Alcina, Bluebell and Paula Sanches.

According to Ricardo Santhiago, who has a PhD in Social History from USP and is the author of the book, the work seeks to imagine a different future for Miriam, highlighting her artistic genius and the few opportunities she had in life. Miriam was a prominent figure on TV, participating in talent shows, sketches with Os Trapalhões, soap operas and musical shows. Despite initial recognition, her career was short-lived.

Santhiago describes Miriam as a lesbian, possibly bipolar, and a multifaceted artist: singer, songwriter, songwriter, and comedian. Born in the Mooca neighborhood of São Paulo to an Italian family, Miriam defied the norms of the time, opting for suits and pants instead of dresses. Although she never received an official diagnosis, close friends recall characteristics that pointed to a possible bipolar disorder.

The book also highlights how Miriam’s sexual orientation influenced her career. At a time when sexual diversity was not openly discussed, Miriam expressed her interest in “people” and identified herself as “as homosexual as everyone else.” This stance in a conservative country contributed to her media erasure, as Santhiago states.

Miriam left a musical legacy that includes two solo albums, several compacts and a participation in an album by Raul Seixas. Known for her live performances, her shows were a mix of sambas, batucadas, jokes and acid criticism of politics and celebrities. However, the lack of recording opportunities prevented her work from becoming more widely known.

Santhiago used press sources, personal archives and interviews with 80 people to compose the biography. He reveals that, in the last years of her life, Miriam isolated herself after several romantic disappointments, living alone.

When her body was found, Miriam was holding the phone, unable to call for help. The book and posthumous album seek to revive the memory of Miriam Batucada, highlighting her importance and influence on Brazilian music and culture.

“The Incomplete Story of Miriam Batucada”