Pedro Beltrán

Pedro Agustín Beltrán Castro (5 February 1930 – 11 April 2026), also known as Pedro Ramayá Beltrán or simply Ramayá, was a Colombian flautist and songwriter. He is known for his skill at playing the flauta de millo. Beltrán was a member of Efraín Mejía's band La Cumbia Soledeña, and later led his own group, La Cumbia Moderna de Soledad.

Life and career Pedro Agustín Beltrán Castro was born on 5 February 1930 in Patico, Talaigua Nuevo, in the Colombian department of Bolívar. According to Beltrán, his father had 46 other children.

As a child Beltrán learned to play flauta de millo, a traditional flute from the Colombian Caribbean. He formed his first band at the age of 12. After his military service he joined La Cumbia Soledeña, the group led by Efraín Mejía. Beltrán later left the group to form his own orchestra, La Cumbia Moderna de Soledad, which included guitar, brass, and percussion alongside the flauta de millo.

Beltrán got the nickname "Ramayá" in 1975 after recording a cumbia version of the song "Ramaya", originally by Afric Simone. He has performed several times at the Barranquilla Carnival, and in 2002 was declared its Rey Momo. Beltrán has written over 300 songs, including notably "Mi Flauta", "La Rebuscona", "La Clavada", and "Mico Ojón Pelúo". In 2023 he was awarded the "lifetime achievement award for bearers of cultural heritage" (Spanish: ) by the Colombian Ministry of Culture.

Beltrán died in Barranquilla on 11 April 2026, at the age of 96.