Catamarca by José Rótulo

Catamarca is a Tango written by José Rótulo and composed by Eduardo Arolas.

Story behind the Tango Catamarca

The lyrics of “Catamarca” tell a poignant story filled with nostalgia and a deep yearning for a past love. The song describes a youthful dream centred around a “Princesita rubia de marfil” (blonde princess made of ivory), who used to sell flowers in the streets of Paris. This recurring memory of her, selling flowers and spreading joy, is captured vividly in the lyrics, showing the emotional depth and the lingering impact of her presence on the narrator.

Symbolism of Catamarca

Flowers, particularly roses and carnations, are central symbolic elements in “Catamarca.” Roses, often red, symbolize deep love and desire, while white carnations signify purity and innocence. These flowers are not just part of the narrative but represent the emotions and states the narrator experiences: passionate love (red rose) and a pure, untainted hope or dream (white carnations). “Un cariño y un clavel” (A little love and a carnation) implies that these sentiments are offered as gifts, symbolizing both the simplicity and the depth of feelings involved.

Catamarca in historic Context

“Catamarca” was recorded in 1969, a period of significant cultural and social changes globally, including in Argentina. This tango, capturing an essence of idealized love and lost innocence, emerges as a form of nostalgic escapism from the growing complexities of that era. By referencing Paris, the song also taps into a broader cultural idealization of the romantic city, which during the late 1960s experienced its own profound societal shifts with events like the May 1968 protests.

José Rótulo

José Rótulo was a prominent figure in the tango world, known for his evocative lyrics that often explored themes of love and nostalgia.