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TRANSLATED ARTICLE BY GRZEGORZ TURSKI
Kałe Bala is a Roma band that has gained great popularity in Poland and abroad thanks to its unique combination of traditional Roma music with elements of flamenco and Balkan music. Its founder and leader Teresa Mirga is a singer, poet, composer and guitarist, whose work is deeply rooted in the Roma tradition, especially related to the Bergitka Roma group, i.e. mountain
Gypsies from the Carpathians The beginnings of the band
The ensemble was founded in 1992, initially focusing on the performance of traditional Roma songs, the so-called purane gila, which were sung by generations of Gypsies living in the Carpathians. Teresa Mirga, as the leader of the band, became not only the voice of this community, but also its ambassador, thanks to which Kale Bala’s music crossed ethnic borders, reaching a wider audience.
Kale Bala consists of exceptionally talented musicians who bring a variety of styles and sounds to each song
Teresa Mirga– lead vocals, guitar. She is the main creative force of the group, the author of
lyrics that touch on issues related to the life of the Roma, as well as universal themes of
spirituality and reflection on human fate.
Maciej Rybka– akordeon, vocals. His virtuosity on the accordion adds a characteristic, dynamic Roma sound to the band’s music, which is the foundation of many works.
Piotr Hortmanowicz– flamenco guitar. His flamenco guitar playing introduces southern European elements that perfectly harmonize with the traditional Roma sound of Kale Bala.
Jonasz Mirga– darabuka, pitcher, spoons. As a master of unusual percussion instruments, Jonah adds a pulsating, hypnotic rhythm to the music that evokes associations with Roma dances and rituals.
Jacek Kacica– cajon, pitcher, oral bass. His playing of the cajon and other percussion instruments
Kale Bala also collaborates with other artists who enrich their concerts and recordings. One of the musicians supporting the band are: Piotr Ondycz, a versatile musician, whose main role inthe group is playing the guitar. His experience and skills add a unique sound to the music of
Kale Bala. Kuba “Bobas” Wilk, who often plays guitar and double bass, adding harmonic depth to the band’s songs.
Musical inspirations and work Kale Bala draws inspiration from the traditional music of the Roma living in the Carpathians, but is not limited to this repertoire. In their work, the band uses melodies and songs of Gypsies from Hungary, Slovakia and the Balkans, which gives their music a multidimensional character.
An important element are the songs of purane gila– old, forgotten melodies, which the band refreshes, giving them modern arrangements, but at the same time maintaining their original, deep emotional overtones.
Teresa Mirga, as the main author of the texts, writes both about the everyday life of the Roma, their joys and sorrows, as well as about spiritual issues. Her work is a peculiar combination of folk music and sung poetry, which gives her works a deeply reflective character.
Taraf– a new song about wandering and longing touches the hearts of listeners with its story
of wandering, longing and inner torment. It premiered on November 20, 2024. The song combines the simplicity of the message with a deep emotional charge, introducing us to the atmosphere of a journey– both physical and spiritual. The lyrics of the song, written by Teresa Mirga, the band’s leader, although seemingly uncomplicated, hide universal questions about what drives a person to wander and what makes them always want to go home.
“Where will I go? Where will I go? Which way will I go home?” These words, in their simplicity, resonate with anyone who has ever tried to find their place in the world. It is in the split between the fascination with the unknown and the longing for stability that the greatest strength of the work lies.
Taraf captivates not only with its versatility and emotional depth in the lyrics, but also with its unique musical performance. Teresa Mirga’s voice combined with the melancholic melody of the Romanian Roma, played by the members of the Kałe Bała band, takes us to a completely different world. There is something extremely authentic about it, which makes the song reach
the hearts of listeners, regardless of their background or experience.
A special role in the reception of the song is played by the atmospheric music video that accompanies the premiere of Taraf. The video was the idea of Kinga Żak, a multidisciplinary artist born in Poland and currently living in Canada. The idea was born while working on a film for which Teresa Mirga created the music.
The director of the video is Delfin Łakatosz– an outstanding artist, filmmaker and photographer of Roma origin, valued both in Poland and in Europe. His work, presented at the Ethnographic Museum in Poznań and the Marek Edelman Dialogue Center in Łódź, touches on the topics of hatred, disability, social integration and tolerance. Łakatosz is also a laureate of the honorary
award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage for the promotion of Roma culture.
The plot of the music video, in which there is a love story with one of the band’s musicians, was inspired by Teresa Mirga’s idea. Working on the clip, as Kinga Żak recalls, was exceptional:
“Working on the video was beautiful– spontaneity, collaboration, very nice atmosphere.”
Taraf is a unique song that not only delights, but also inspires reflection on your own journeys both in the material world and into yourself. This is proof that Kale Bala is constantly developing artistically, remaining faithful to its roots, and at the same time opening up to new forms of expression.
Kale Bala on stage
The band regularly performs at various festivals and concerts in Poland and abroad, promoting Roma culture. Kale Bala has performed on stages in Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and other countries, and their music is recognized both in music circles and among fans of traditional music and world music.
The band has also participated in numerous recordings for Polish Radio and Television. In 1999, Kałe Bała won first place at the Małopolska Traditional Music Competition, which strengthened their position as one of the most important Roma ensembles in Poland.
Teresa Mirga and her mission
Teresa Mirga, as the leader of the ensemble, plays a key role in the promotion of Roma culture. She is not only an artist, but also an activist who fights to preserve the Roma heritage and pass it on to future generations. She conducts workshops, during which she conveys the culture and creativity of the Roma. Thanks to her involvement, Kale Bala has become a symbol of Roma
culture in Poland, and their music inspires both Roma and people from outside this community. Her activities have been recognized with the Medal for Merit to Culture– Gloria Artis, which is awarded to people who are particularly outstanding in the field of artistic creation, cultural activity or protection of culture and national heritage
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