Imprinted Life discussion

As a young singer in Cairo during 1924-28, Om Kolthum performed the poems set to music in the garb of males before enthusiastic audiences. Her pay came to more than that of her father and brother.

Part I, 1924-28, describes the young Bedouin girl in the Egyptian countryside whose extraordinary voice thrilled crowds. She sang poems set to music and overcame intense competition from another famous singer Mounira al-Mahdiyya, who would perform in the opera "Cleopatra." The narrator of this fictional biography is the writer of the poems. He harbored a secret love for her. Below is an article about Mounira and the cultural district of Cairo in the 1920s. Part II takes place in the next decade from 1932-38.

"The facade of the Printania Theatre, where Mounira al-Mahdiyya made her acting debut in 1915, still towers above Alfi Bey Street [...]" -- https://www.apollo-magazine.com/roari...

Part II of this biographical novel describes her growing success as a singer who adapted her art to radio, film, stage, and notable national events. The narrator is the poet Ahmed Rami, whose poems musicians put to music for her. It seems that he was in love with her his whole life despite his eventual marriage to another. A review of this book by Paola Garcia notes the meanings attached to her name, the inestimable popularity of her performances, and much more.

In Part III, the years are from 1950-1956.

Oum Kalthoum and the Poet Who Loved Her: A Book Review of I Loved You for Your Voice
by Paola Garcia | Apr 21, 2019

As the revolution of 1952 changed Egypt from the monarchy of King Farouk into a republic, Umm Kulthum's close association with the relinquished regime brought her role as the voice of Egypt into doubt for a short time. Her return to the stage drew even wilder enthusiasm from the populace.



Umm Kulthum with two Egyptian presidents, Nasser and Sadat.

Courtesy of Willyman.

The fictional memoir of Om Kalthoum by Sélim Nassib in the voice of poet and associate Ahmad Rami comes to the end of her life and an era.

That palace of dreams which we built with our own hands was where we lived; it was our era, the very mood of our world. And we know what it was made out of, of such genuine love. They'll switch on their radios and they'll think that they're just hearing a song.

After defeat in the Six-Day War, she made an inspiring recital tour among Arabic countries the following year. Below is a photo of her at the legendary concert in Morocco.


"Rabat 1968: Oum Kaltoum au Théâtre Mohammed V. Un pigeon s'est posé près de la grande diva et succombe au charme de sa voix"

Courtesy of Mmaradji.