Portela
The traditional and innovative Portela
Portela is Rio’s oldest samba group and a premier school with an absolute record of 21 titles including 7 consecutive championships. After going through a rough period in the 1980s, it managed to retain itself in the Special Group mainly because of its glorious past and popularity only to reclaim its original grandeur later on. Portela’s foundation, their innovative spirit and brilliant performances have helped them in winning many Rio Carnival contests. Its Carnival parades are graced by many international celebrities including singer Ricky Martin and super model Nomi Campbell.
History
Portela took its first step in 1920s when samba schools as they are known today did not exist. Paulo Benjamin de Oliveira proposed the formation of a novel and distinct samba band that was to really symbolize the entire neighborhood of Osvaldo. With support from friends, in the year 1923 on April 11th, Portela samba school was born. The school changed many names as its identity evolved in the coming years and in 1935 they finally adopted the name of Portela.
Identity
The colors of Portela samba school are blue and white with a symbol that has remained unchanged since the start of the school – a giant eagle. This eagle shines high in a symbol of honor and pride for those great performers that have lead Portela to victory.
Performance
Legendary Portela Samba School has led the way in many aspects of the carnival. It was the first group that used decorations, introduced the opening wing and was the first to use ropes. Portela is known for choosing beautiful and charismatic Queens and having the strongest Drum sections. These innovations along with a fabulous team of composers helped this samba school win an unbelievable 11 titles, of which 7 were in a row between 1939 and 1953 creating history in the samba musical genre in Brazil.
Play the samba school Portela 2013 theme song
Samba Enredo 2013 (Lyrics)
Autores: Wanderley Monteiro, Luiz Carlos Máximo, Toninho Nascimento e André do Posto 7
Intérprete: Gilsinho
E lá vou eu cantando com a minha viola
O amor tem seus mistérios
Por onde me deixo levar
laiá
Nossa história começa por lá
No engenho da fazenda
Dos cantos de “canaviá”
Bate o sino da capela
Oi… Que é dia de santo sinhá
Tem mironga de jongueiro
O tambor me chamou pra dançar
Tempo rodou na roda do trem e veio
A inspiração do partideiro
Que versou no Mercadão
Foi nesse chão
Que a estrela brilhou no tablado
O “Madura” pisou no gramado
O malandro charmoso dançou
No pagode com outro gingado
Quando o bloco chegou
Agitou o suingue do black
E a nega baiana girou
Cai na folia, sem grilo, meu bem vem na fé
Na ilusão da fantasia
Vai como pode quem quer
Surgiu a Serrinha imperial
Em outros caminhos para o mesmo ritual
Portela, meu orgulho suburbano
Traz os poetas soberanos nesse trem para cantar
Que Madureira é muito mais do que um lugar
É a capital de um sonho que me faz sambar
Abre a roda, chegou Madureira
A poeira já vai levantar
O batuque ginga Iôiô
Ginga Iáiá
