Arrelia

Origin

Jaguariaíva, PR

Genres

children's music, marchinha, comedy

Instruments

voice

Biography

Waldemar Seyssel, better known as Arrelia, was born in Jaguariaíva at the end of 1905 and passed away in 2005, establishing himself as one of the most important actors, comedians, and clowns in the history of Brazilian culture. Born into a traditional family of circus artists of European descent, he began his journey in the circus ring during his childhood, performing acrobatics and on the trapeze before adopting the famous stage name he inherited from his uncle and establishing himself as a clown of great national prominence.

With the advent of television, Arrelia was one of the pioneers to migrate from the circus to the small screen, debuting on TV Record in the 1950s alongside family members such as his nephew Walter Seyssel, the clown Pimentinha. He distinguished himself from other clowns by his slender, awkward appearance and lack of traditional exaggerations, creating a popular character that marked generations and coined unforgettable catchphrases like the famous "How are you? Very well!" ("Como vai? Muito bem!").

In addition to his strong presence in television and film, Arrelia also left his mark on music by popularizing the march "Tudo bem", composed in partnership with Manoel Ferreira and Antônio Mojica, immortalized in memorable duets such as the one with Berta Loran. His contribution to the Brazilian popular imagination dialogues with that of other great names in national humor and clowning, such as the clown Carequinha.

Discography

• Arrelia com Lamartine Babo e Altamiro Carrilho e Sua Bandinha – Ride Palhaço (1957)
• Arrelia, Parlapatões, Figurinha (2), Antônio Nóbrega, Picolino (3), Pururuca – Circo (1998)