MAN NEEDS HIS DIFFICULTIES QUOTE BECAUSE THEY ARE NECESSARY OF THE TO ENJOY SUCCESS. DAY A. P. J. ABDUL KALAM FRIDAY May 31, 2019 GOLDEN TUNES Egypt tunes into nostalgia for golden age of Arab song

melancholic songs of Syrian-born star As- Every day, mahan and the tender rhythmic melodies of Egyptian singer Najat al-Saghira mix with animated conversations, modern pop music in local cafes and Islamic chants. Torn between stage fright and joy, Adel and homes the performs regularly at the Arab Music Insti- tute paying tribute to his music . melancholic During events such as the “Khulthumiat” (the music of ) or “Wahabi- yat” (the music of Abdel Wahab), organised songs of by the 100-year old institute, Adel is often the lead singer with an entire troupe from Syrian-born the Cairo Opera House accompanying his powerful vocals. star “These events are very successful,” said Jihan Morsi, the seminal director of the and the tender opera’s Oriental Music department. And to soar above Cairo’s 24-hour ca- cophony, she doesn’t just look to golden rhythmic oldies. “I bring (pop stars like) Angham, Saber melodies of El-Robai, Wael Jassar. They are beautiful voices that have an audience among the Egyptian youth,” said Morsi. Music production companies are also seeking to preserve the country’s music singer Najat heritage through younger generations. Ahmed Hafez, bassist for Egyptian rock band Massar Egbari, warms up in a recording studio in the Egyptian capital Cairo Sawt al-Qahira, or Sono Cairo, a historic al-Saghira mix record company, is betting on the internet Cairo “Modern songs are a hit for a day or two, the region. despite financial setbacks and ongoing legal with animated a month, or maybe a year, but then we do But in the 1990s, Gulf countries vying battles over the copyright to Umm Kulthum tanding before a rapt crowd, Ahmed not hear about them any more. for cultural dominance emerged as rivals songs. conversations, Adel oozes charm with his passionate “But Abdel Wahab and (Egyptian diva) to Egypt’s music industry, and Rotana, Known as the “Star of the Orient,” Umm Sperformance of an Egyptian classic, Umm Kulthum have lasted until today,” the Arab world’s largest record label, was Kulthum’s voice is still considered the Arab evoking a romantic nostalgia for Arabic said Adel, before his performance in the formed in 1987. world’s finest, more than four decades after modern pop songs of the past. tiny Mamluk-era hall at the Arab Music The company is currently owned by busi- her death. After a melodious introduction on the Institute. nessman and Saudi prince, Al Walid bin And with its wide variety of classics, the music and Oud, the famed oriental lute, Adel croons Egypt, a cultural powerhouse in the Arab Talal. record label has struck deals with YouTube his way through a “Mawal”, a traditional world, has long enjoyed a booming music The 2011 uprising in Egypt that plunged and other mobile application companies to Islamic chants melody boasting long vowels. industry. the country into political and economic keep this heritage alive. “Ya leil” (“O night”), he sings, with the In the past, the rise of revered singers, chaos also saw a downturn in the domestic Younger generations have also shown a dreamy languor of the original performer, such as Umm Kulthum, Abdel Wahab and music industry. renewed interest in the classics thanks to Egyptian legend Mohamed Abdel Wahab. another Egyptian Abdel Halim Hafiz among Yet the Egyptian metropolis remains alive popular televised talent shows. With cheers of “Allah!”, the mesmerised others, saw Cairo billed as the Hollywood with the sound of music. “, The Voice and others show audience shows its appreciation. of Arab song, attracting talent from across Every day, in local cafes and homes the people singing old songs,” said Doaa Mam-

DECODING ART

Dana Awartani Dubai n the sidelines of the Sharjah Is- lamic Arts Festival, Jeddah-based Oartist Dana Awartani showcased uses Indian her work in an exhibition called “The Silence Between Us” at the Maraya Art Center in the emirate. craftsmanship “The Silence Between Us”, that brought together pieces from the art- ist’s repertoire, is a prime example of her unique use of layering. Poetry and light to explore are key elements in her work and the exhibition in Sharjah — her first in the Middle East, according to the gallery — is evidence of that. Arab poetry in Curated by Laura Metzler, the exhi- bition was laid out in a cyclical pattern and showcased Awartani’s recent in- Sharjah stallation, “Listen to My Words” (2018), which features seven screens of hand embroidered silk panels inspired by the “Jali” screen — an architectural form ‘Listen to My Words’ (2018) by Dana Awartani common in traditional buildings in the Indian Subcontinent that allows airflow in buildings, but prevents onlookers from Jeddah-based artist Dana Awartani being able to gaze in. Each screen is associated with a line showcased her work in an exhibition of poetry from female poets of the Arab world throughout history. Other pieces featured in the exhibition include “Love called “The Silence Between Us” at the is my Law, Love is my Faith” (2016), which was inspired by the love poems A work by Dana Awartani Maraya Art Center in Sharjah Dana Awartani

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Chairman & Managing Director P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 38444698/17579877 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing