Umm Kulthum- mother of egypt

UMM KULTHUM

was the greatest egyptian singer of all times, songwriter and an actress.

she was given many honorific titles such as: “kawkab el-sharq”- star of the east and mother of egypt. the Daughter of the nile

kulthum was a national icon. 

her childhood

she was born in 1904 a small village to a religious family. her father was a rural imam and her mother was a housewife.

her first success

kulthum was introduced to many poets and composers through

her career  ahmad rami who whould later write her 137 songs.

the composer mohamed El Qasabgi who introdued her to the arabic theatre palace, where she would experience her very first real public success.

very fast she became a role model for several young female singers and even had a political influance.

this poster was advertising Umm kulthum’s concert in jerusalem in the late 1920s

fun fact: there was a special seats (fancy ones) just for the ladies in her concerts.

الف ليله وليله- alf lela we lela

one on her most famous and romantic songs that was recorded in the sixties, a beautiful mix of arabic melodies played with westren instruments- the guitar, the accordion.

with om kalsoum’s powerful and expressive voice.

the meaning of the first verse-

oh my love, the night and its sky, its stars and its moon you and I.

we are all in love together. and the passion, oh the passion, lets live in the nights eyes and tell the sun to come after a year.

unforgettable moments-

In one of the concerts, Mr.

Salem, the flute player, rebelled against the musical notes. and played out of key Some say that a musician deviating from the melody is considered as flirtation in arab culture.

UMM KULTHUM in the 1960s-

she was at the peak of her career and had already become an iconic figure in arabic music.

Umm Kulthum continued to release some of her most beloved songs during this decade, including “Al-Atlal” (The Ruins), “Enta Omri” (You Are My Life), and “Amal Hayati” (The Hope of My Life). These songs are characterized by their deep emotional content melodies, and powerful vocal performances.

Umm Kulthum was not just a singer but also a cultural and political icon. Her songs often carried deep nationalistic and patriotic themes. She was a strong supporter of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and the pan-Arabism movement. Her concerts were major events, often attended by political leaders and public figures.

 her unique style

Her live performances were legendary. She often performed lengthy concerts that could last for several hours, maintaining her vocal strength and emotional intensity throughout.

Umm Kulthum was often seen wearing sunglasses due to a medical condition

her sunglasses also became a signature part of her iconic style, adding to her mystique and public persona.

The 1960s solidified Umm Kulthum’s status as an enduring musical legend. Her music from this period continues to be celebrated and remains a significant part of the cultural heritage of the Arab world.

heres one of my favorite songs

“the hope of my life”

its 40 minutes long*

ENJOY