| Umm Kalthoum by Lara Iskander |
| Editors note: Take Elvis Presley, Frank Sanatra, Buddy Holly and the Beatles and combine them all and they might be as legendary as Umm Kalthoum is in Egypt. Her Museum next to the Nileometer gives one additional reasons to visit Rhoda Island |
| Left: Umm Kalthoum with her brother at a young age |
Umm Kalthoum occupies an undisputedly unique position in
Oriental songs. She was known in Arabic as “Kawkab Al-Shark”
or “Star of the East” for she was a most powerful symbol in the
Middle East. She was also called “El-Sett” for she was seen as
“The Lady”.
Oriental songs. She was known in Arabic as “Kawkab Al-Shark”
or “Star of the East” for she was a most powerful symbol in the
Middle East. She was also called “El-Sett” for she was seen as
“The Lady”.
Regarded as the most gifted female voice of the twentieth
century, she had a popularity that knew no boundaries and was
as phenomenal as was her voice.
century, she had a popularity that knew no boundaries and was
as phenomenal as was her voice.
Her father
He then began taking her along with her elder brother to events where they would chant to
help the family earn money. Her father dressed her in boy's clothing,
because it wasn’t in the Egyptian peasant tradition to have his
women or girls sing and appear in front of strangers.
help the family earn money. Her father dressed her in boy's clothing,
because it wasn’t in the Egyptian peasant tradition to have his
women or girls sing and appear in front of strangers.
Despite her rural manners, her natural skill was recognized early on
and it brought her to the attention of society. In 1923, her family
moved to Cairo with high hopes for their young daughter to
become a professional singer in the city. There, she began training
and her father hired a number of music tutors.
Her great ambition, love for knowledge and eagerness to learn was
amazing. This was what gave her a chance in that New World she
was trying to conquer
Soon she became a woman of great wealth and power. During her
later years, she was the confidant of presidents and kings and,
above all, President Gamal Abd al-Nasser’s unofficial ambassador
in the region. She traveled the Arabic and western world in support
of her government.
When she died in 1975, four million mourners walked the streets of
Cairo to honor their beloved singer.
It is of no doubt that she was the greatest singer of her time and till
this day her allure and fame have never died away. She truly
represented the Egyptian and Arab nation in every way.
Despite the fact that her records, tapes and films are still widely
listened to all over the Arab world, Umm Kalthoum’s songs are not
always appreciated by some listeners. Her songs and words had
an intense severity that isn’t always inviting for youngsters.
However, once one finds an ear for her songs, they grow on you
and easily becomes an addiction.
It is not necessary to understand Arabic well or to have lived in the
Middle East to appreciate the feeling behind her words.
You’ll hear “El-Sett” in the background while walking the streets,
drinking your coffee in an oriental or chic café, in people’s homes
and constantly on TV.
Umm Kalthoum lived on Zamalek Island. She owned a beautiful
villa overlooking the Nile River. That villa witnessed many great
events and gatherings of all sorts of politicians, artists and fans.
Sadly, her home was demolished in the early eighties to be
replaced with a Residential commercial tower. The tower was
named after her.
Lately, a statue of Umm Kalthoum was put up in front of the tower in
her commemoration. In December 2001, her precious belongings
and oldest records and tapes were moved to a museum on the site
of the Manasterli Palace. This is a beautiful place to visit for those
who know her or even the curious that have only heard of her.
There, one can absorb the story of this amazing Egyptian woman
holding on to her silk scarf, which she could never do without during
performances.
and it brought her to the attention of society. In 1923, her family
moved to Cairo with high hopes for their young daughter to
become a professional singer in the city. There, she began training
and her father hired a number of music tutors.
Her great ambition, love for knowledge and eagerness to learn was
amazing. This was what gave her a chance in that New World she
was trying to conquer
Soon she became a woman of great wealth and power. During her
later years, she was the confidant of presidents and kings and,
above all, President Gamal Abd al-Nasser’s unofficial ambassador
in the region. She traveled the Arabic and western world in support
of her government.
When she died in 1975, four million mourners walked the streets of
Cairo to honor their beloved singer.
It is of no doubt that she was the greatest singer of her time and till
this day her allure and fame have never died away. She truly
represented the Egyptian and Arab nation in every way.
Despite the fact that her records, tapes and films are still widely
listened to all over the Arab world, Umm Kalthoum’s songs are not
always appreciated by some listeners. Her songs and words had
an intense severity that isn’t always inviting for youngsters.
However, once one finds an ear for her songs, they grow on you
and easily becomes an addiction.
It is not necessary to understand Arabic well or to have lived in the
Middle East to appreciate the feeling behind her words.
You’ll hear “El-Sett” in the background while walking the streets,
drinking your coffee in an oriental or chic café, in people’s homes
and constantly on TV.
Umm Kalthoum lived on Zamalek Island. She owned a beautiful
villa overlooking the Nile River. That villa witnessed many great
events and gatherings of all sorts of politicians, artists and fans.
Sadly, her home was demolished in the early eighties to be
replaced with a Residential commercial tower. The tower was
named after her.
Lately, a statue of Umm Kalthoum was put up in front of the tower in
her commemoration. In December 2001, her precious belongings
and oldest records and tapes were moved to a museum on the site
of the Manasterli Palace. This is a beautiful place to visit for those
who know her or even the curious that have only heard of her.
There, one can absorb the story of this amazing Egyptian woman
holding on to her silk scarf, which she could never do without during
performances.
Display of Umm Kalthoum Memorabilia
in her Museum
in her Museum
 |  |  |  |
Not only was she considered a legend in the Arab countries, but
her voice also reached many parts of the world at a time when
Arabic music seemed like a mystery to much of the Western world.
She was born into a poor family in a small village, east of the Nile
Delta in 1904. Umm Kalthoum was the youngest of three children
and lived the normal simple life of the country. As a peasant’s
daughter, she grew up under the influence of religious instructions.
Umm Kalthoum was taught religious chants from her father, an
imam (Qur'an reader) at a local mosque as a kind of education.
With time, he became impressed with her keen memorization and
the astonishing strength of her voice.
her voice also reached many parts of the world at a time when
Arabic music seemed like a mystery to much of the Western world.
She was born into a poor family in a small village, east of the Nile
Delta in 1904. Umm Kalthoum was the youngest of three children
and lived the normal simple life of the country. As a peasant’s
daughter, she grew up under the influence of religious instructions.
Umm Kalthoum was taught religious chants from her father, an
imam (Qur'an reader) at a local mosque as a kind of education.
With time, he became impressed with her keen memorization and
the astonishing strength of her voice.