On August 22 at the Palais des sports, Rossy will revisit the history of Tapolaka Glady with "Timeless," a show designed to connect memories from the first editions with new generations.
From modest lighting to giant screens, from limited technical means to a meticulously crafted spectacle, Tapolaka Glady is scaling up without abandoning its heritage. On August 22 at the Palais des sports, Rossy will revive the spirit of this concept with "Tapolaka Glady Timeless," an event that aims to reconnect with the artist's origins while opening a new chapter.
Tapolaka Glady traces its history back to the 1990s. Among the landmark events was the Antsahamanitra performance in 1995. At that time, the show already featured ambitious scenography. A particularly high stage was installed at Andohatapenaka, with a wooden and metal structure, nearly 120 people on stage, and carefully crafted staging.
Rossy recalls an era with far more limited resources. "There wasn't much equipment. The lights were like garden lamps. It was mainly the people who gave Glady its soul," he explains. La SobiKa t-shirts and the presence of 80 models contributed to the visual identity of the concept.
With "Timeless," this memory meets today's capabilities. Cool Concept and Soma Prod bring new equipment in a design conceived as a synthesis between yesterday's spirit and current possibilities. Sound, lighting, stage, giant screen, and broadcast have been carefully planned to create a true spectacle. "I personally had never seen a show like this in Madagascar. It's really a production that's being prepared," Rossy affirms.
Will to TransmitFor this event, audiences will see the complete Tarika Rossy, accompanied by violinists and other musicians, performing exclusively from his repertoire. From nearly 400 songs, pieces will be selected based on guest preferences.
The "Timeless" dimension takes on full meaning. "People really wanted Rossy, all of Rossy's songs. That's the timeless aspect, because there are multiple generations," the artist explains. Some members of the fourth generation of Tarika Rossy are currently learning the old pieces to keep this repertoire alive beyond its original generation. This commitment to transmission reflects the path of an artist who built his career from Malagasy musical traditions.
The show will be prepared during an intensely packed day, with eight to twelve hours of work, including sound checks.
Artistic JourneyPaul Bert Rahasimanana, known as Rossy, began playing accordion at age 7. He later performed in hira gasy, vakisôva, and various ensembles before gaining recognition in 1983 during a public performance. His music blends Malagasy influences with rock, funk, and folk sounds.
His international tours, his album Island of Ghosts, recorded in England in 1991, and his distinction from Radio France Internationale in 1994, which named him "best ambassador of Malagasy music," mark his career. After six years in France, his return to Madagascar in 2008 was marked by a concert at Mahamasina stadium that drew over 35,000 spectators. In 2018, he celebrated 30 years of career at the Palais des sports in Mahamasina.
With "Tapolaka Glady Timeless," Rossy is not simply trying to reproduce the past. He returns to the source to transmit a story, bring together multiple generations, and give new life to a concept that has marked his journey.