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Marcelo Pereira, widely known as Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha, is a renowned Brazilian capoeira master, educator, and cultural ambassador. He has made significant contributions to the global spread of Capoeira, particularly through his pioneering work in the United States and his involvement in the development of the iconic video game character Eddy Gordo from Tekken 3.
Early Life and Capoeira Training
Marcelo Pereira was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1959. He was introduced to capoeira at a young age, learning the art form on the streets before being referred to Mestre Suassuna, one of the most influential capoeira masters and the co-founder of the Associação de Capoeira Cordão de Ouro (CDO). Under Mestre Suassuna's guidance, Marcelo developed his skills and eventually earned the title of Mestre.
During the 1980s, it was customary for newly graduated capoeira mestres not to use their mestre’s school name when founding their own groups. Following this tradition, Marcelo, along with other graduates from Mestre Suassuna's turma, established his own capoeira school.
Establishing Capoeira in the United States
In 1984, Mestre Marcelo moved to Oakland, California, where he founded the Associação de Capoeira Senzala Grande. At the time, he was one of only three practitioners teaching Capoeira in the United States. His school became formally known as Capoeira Mandinga in 1995. Through Capoeira Mandinga, Mestre Marcelo played a crucial role in spreading Capoeira throughout the United States and beyond, establishing branches in countries such as New Zealand, Israel, China, Taiwan, Japan, Italy, Iceland, Mexico, and Brazil.
The Capoeira Institute
Mestre Marcelo is the founder of The Capoeira Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating and promoting the education of the general public about Capoeira and various aspects of Brazilian culture, including dance, arts, folklore, and rituals. The institute also aims to promote cultural exchange between the United States, Brazil, and other countries, with a particular focus on creating opportunities in Capoeira for underserved and disadvantaged youth.
Contribution to Tekken 3
Mestre Marcelo gained international recognition for his work as the motion capture artist for the character Eddy Gordo in the popular video game Tekken 3. His involvement came after Namco, the game's developer, learned of him through his 1995 International Capoeira Seminar held in San Francisco. Despite injuries that limited his performance, Mestre Marcelo provided the authentic Capoeira movements that became Eddy Gordo's signature in the game. However, he later criticized the developers' choice of the character's name and the names of the movements, noting that "Eddy" is not a Brazilian name and "Gordo" means "fat" in Portuguese.
Philosophy and Legacy
Mestre Marcelo is known for his deep understanding of the Capoeira game, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, body expression, and respect within the art. He believes that Capoeira should not only be seen as a martial art but also as a cultural practice that includes humor, theatrical elements, and a strong sense of community and etiquette. According to him, a Capoeira game is truly beautiful when played with the heart, with players respecting each other and the traditions of the art.
Through his teachings, Mestre Marcelo has influenced countless capoeiristas around the world, contributing to the preservation and evolution of Capoeira while fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of Brazilian culture. His legacy continues through the many students and schools he has mentored, as well as through his ongoing efforts with The Capoeira Institute.
References
- "Mestre Marcelo Pereira - Capoeira Iceland." Capoeira Iceland.
- "Eddy Gordo" Wikipedia.
- "Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha" Mandinga Archive.