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Umm Kulthoum (1904-1975) was the most gifted
and popular Arab singer of the 20th century.
Her father was an imam and she began her
singing career as a child, chanting the Qur'an (disguised as a
boy). Later, after moving to Cairo she met the famous poet Ahmed
Rami who wrote a total of 137 songs for her.
Her songs are mostly about love, longing,
and loss, delivered in an almost operatic style. In her
concerts, a single song might continue for several hours,
depending on how the audience responded. Sometimes she would
repeat the same line over and over again, with subtle
variations.
An indication of her huge popularity is that
an estimated crowd of more than four million attended her
funeral - one of the largest public gatherings in history. She
is still revered in Egypt today and her songs remain as popular
as ever.
Sound clip
from Enta Omri, one of her most famous songs.
Alternative spellings of her name: Umm
Kulthum, Oum Kalsoum, Oum Kalthum, Omm Kolsoum, Umm Kolthoum
Umm Kulthoum
Her life story
Umm Kulthum
(Wikipedia) Biographical
notes
(al-Mashriq)
Song
lyrics
In Arabic, with some sound clips
Umm
Kalthoum
by Lara Iskander (touregypt.net)
Legendary
songstress of the Arabs
by Habeeb Salloum (Aljadid magazine, November 1995)
Listening to Umm Kulthum
by Prof. Virginia Danielson of Harvard University [Middle East Studies Association
Bulletin]
Picture
gallery (al-Mashriq)
Bibliography
(al-Mashriq)
Discography
(al-Mashriq)
Umm Kulthoum
films
Umm Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt
Details of a film about Umm Kulthum, produced and
directed by Michal Goldman, 1997 |
