Stars & Stories " Um Kalthoum"

Summary

Umm Kulthum, born on December 30, 1898, and passed away on February 3, 1975, is celebrated as the greatest Arabic singer in history. With a humble beginning in the Nile Delta, she showcased exceptional talent from a young age. Her rise to fame was marked by collaborations with renowned poets and composers, and her emotive performances captivated audiences. Despite competition, her unique vocal control and impact set her apart. Umm Kulthum's legacy endures through her timeless songs about love and loss, and her influence on Arabic music is unparalleled.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Umm Kulthum was born on December 30, 1898, and is considered the greatest Arabic singer in history.
• 👨‍👧 Her father played a significant role in her early musical education, teaching her to recite the Quran and disguising her as a boy to join a performing troupe.
• 🎼 At the age of 16, she was discovered by Mohammed Abu Laila, who taught her the old classical Arab repertoire.
• 📍 She moved to Cairo in 1923, where she was introduced to cultural circles and maintained her conservative values.
• 💡 Umm Kulthum's career was significantly influenced by her collaboration with the poet Hamid Al-Rumi, who wrote 137 songs for her.
• 🎬 She gained fame through musical movies and live broadcasting of her concerts, which were held on the first Thursday of each month.
• 🎵 Her songs often dealt with universal themes of love, longing, and loss, which resonated with a wide audience.
• 🏆 Umm Kulthum faced competition from other prominent singers but stood out due to her exceptional vocal control and emotive impact.
• 🎼 She collaborated with various composers, including Mohammed El As'ad, who introduced her to the Arabic theatre and helped establish her public success.
• 📚 Umm Kulthum was introduced to French literature and Arabic literature, which greatly influenced her artistic development.
• 🕊️ Her funeral procession in 1975 was a national event, with millions of Egyptians paying their respects to her legacy.

Q & A

Who is the subject of the transcript?

The subject of the transcript is Umm Kulthum, a renowned Arabic singer.

When was Umm Kulthum born and when did she die?

Umm Kulthum was born on the 30th of December, 1898, and she died on the 3rd of February, 1975.

What was Umm Kulthum's early life like?

Umm Kulthum was born in the village of El-Senbellawein in the city of Tanta, in the Gharbia Governorate of the Nile Delta. She showed exceptional singing talent at a young age and was taught to recite the Quran by her father.

How did Umm Kulthum's musical education begin?

Her father, who was also her first teacher, disguised her as a boy and joined her to a small performing troupe that he directed. At the age of 16, she was noticed by Mohammed Abu Laila, a modestly famous singer who taught her the old classical Arab repertoire.

Who was the famous composer that invited Umm Kulthum to Cairo?

The famous composer who invited Umm Kulthum to Cairo was Zechariah Emmett.

What significant event happened in Umm Kulthum's career in 1932?

In 1932, Umm Kulthum experienced her first real public success at the Arabic Theatre Palace, which marked a turning point in her career.

How did Umm Kulthum's fame grow in the 1930s?

Umm Kulthum's fame grew through the sales of her records and her appearances in musical movies, as well as the live broadcasting of her concerts performed on the first Thursday of each month from October to June.

What was unique about Umm Kulthum's singing style?

Umm Kulthum had exceptional control over her voice and an emotive vocal impact, which attracted many composers, musicians, and lyricists to work with her.

Who were the two prominent singers that Umm Kulthum faced competition from during her early career?

Umm Kulthum faced competition from two prominent singers, Munille Medea and Fat Haman, who had similar voices.

What was the significance of the religious poem Umm Kulthum presented in 1946?

The religious poem presented by Umm Kulthum in 1946, written by Hammacher II and composed by somebody, was a success that reconnected her with her early singing years and defined somebody's unique style in composing.

What is considered by many as Umm Kulthum's best song?

The song 'Oh, Oh Brahim Naga spawn a lot lon the ruins,' composed by Some Botti and premiered in 1966, is considered by many as Umm Kulthum's best song.

What was the impact of Umm Kulthum's death on Egypt?

Umm Kulthum's death on February 3rd, 1975, at the age of 76, led to a national event with around 4 million grief-stricken Egyptians lining the streets to bid her farewell.