The group was formed by students at Universidad Técnica del Estado at Santiago, Chile in 1967. In 1973 as they were on tour abroad, General Augusto Pinochet launched a coup d'etat and took power. Having heard of the numerous extra-judicial killings of many fellow artists by Chile's army, they took up residence in Italy, resulting in "the longest tour in history" for Inti-Illimani as they lived in de facto exile. They continued their efforts supporting Chilean democracy internationally; magnitizdat copies of their work continued to be widely distributed in Chile. In September 1988, days after they were no longer banned from Chile, they began touring Chile again. They helped organize the voting down of the referendum that would have re-elected Pinochet. Recently, they were actually supported by Chile as representatives of Chilean culture.
In the past the group was musically led by Horacio Salinas and politically led by Jorge Coulon. However, in 2001 there was a controversial split of the group, which started when three key members left the group (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas). They were replaced by Manuel Meriño (from Entrama), Cristián González and Juan Flores. Due to the importance of departed members, many called into question the ability of the remainder to carry on the Inti-Illimani name. Meanwhile, the three departed members started their own group they call Inti-Histórico. From 2005 there are two groups:
Inti-Illimani New (Coulon brothers)
Inti-Illimani Histórico (José Seves, Horacio Durán and Horacio Salinas)
Membership
In August 1967 Inti-Illimani's earliest membership consisted of:
Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Luis Espinoza
Oscar Guzmán
Ciro Retamal
Pedro Yáñez
In 1968 Inti-Illimani's membership consisted of:
Horacio Salinas (Musical director and main composer)
Horacio Durán
Max Berrú
Jorge Coulon
Ernesto Perez de Arce
Current line-up of the "Inti-Illimani Nuevo":
Jorge Coulon
Christian González
Daniel Cantillana
Juan Flores
Efren Viera
Marcelo Coulon
Manuel Meriño
César Jara
Current line-up of the "Inti-Histórico":
Horacio Salinas
Horacio Durán
José Seves
Jorge Ball
Fernando Julio
Camilo Salinas
Danilo Donoso
Other members in the history of the group:
Ernesto Pérez de Arce
Homero Altamirano
José Miguel Camus
Renato Freyggang
Pedro Villagra
Papel De Plata
Inti-Illimani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
plumita de oro tuviera
para escribir una carta
a mi negra más querida
Ay, palomita,
ay, corazoncito,
hasta cuándo estaré
The lyrics of "Papel de Plata" are a longing expression of a narrator who wishes for material wealth to write a letter to his beloved. The singer expresses his desire for a feather of gold and silver paper to write a letter to his black (a term used in Latin America to refer to a person of African descent) beloved. The singer's longing is evident in the repetition of "ay palomita, ay corazoncito," which translates to "Oh little dove, oh little heart."
The song is a nostalgic expression of love, longing, and pain. The singer's desire for a feather of gold and silver paper highlights the significance of written communication, especially in the absence of physical proximity. The lyrics are a reminder that love transcends distance, and with the right medium, it can be expressed and shared.
Line by Line Meaning
Papel de plata quisiera
I wish I had silver paper
Plumita de oro tuviera
I wish I had a golden feather
Para escribir una carta
To write a letter
A mi negra más querida
To my most beloved black woman
Ay, palomita,
Oh, little dove,
Ay, corazoncito,
Oh, little heart,
Hasta cuándo estaré
How much longer will I be
Yo sufriendo.
Suffering.
Contributed by Sophie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ando1135
i remember listening to these songs when i was a kid in elementary/middle school....my dad had the cd, i would listen at night.
@alejandroha1972
son pocas las canciones que te pueden transportar a lugares remotos y fantasticos, asi tambien como a recuerdos de niñes , gracias inti-illimani por crear estas canciones que elevan el espiritu.
@adelphazul
Lo que más disfruto de este tema es la musicalización, como van entrando los instrumentos y se ensamblan con las voces. Ese canon es precioso y las zampoñas, espectaculares.
@brunocastelli6975
exacto. Además el poema es precioso, supongo que a todos nos provoca algo
@betoreloaded1
Cuando era niño escuchaba esta canción, luego viví por 30 años fuera del país y en mis momentos de tristeza me acordaba y me ponia a cantar.
@MARINO351
Yo,llevo.mas.de.medio.siglo.escuchandoles
,de.antes,.dejar.Chile.Inti.Illimani.
por.dictadura.del.Asesino.,
y.cuando.les.escucho.a.veses.de.me.cae.alguna
Lagrima....y.llevo.mas.de.40.años.fuera.de.mi.Chile,
Saludo..desde.Grecia...
@Silespm
igual en mi caso. me trae demasiados recuerdos. mi papá y mi mamá la cantaban también! y seguimos siempre orgullosos de nuestro folklore latinoamericano!!
@betozal53
No hay palabras para describirlo, la oigo a los muchos años y las lagrimas vienen a los ojos, el alma se estremece y el cuerpo entero vibra por la maravillosa cancion de los Dioses del Folklor Latinoamericano.
@1998edinson
Gracias Roberto muy bonitas palabras inspirantes! Las lagrimas me vienen a los ojos.
@america1930
Saludos tambíen desde Texas, (Nuestra querida Tejas,que nos arrebataron a ambos Mexicanos y Españoles) a todos mis hermanos Españoles.