Oum Kalthoum: Egypt's Greatest Voice

Oum Kalthoum was born in a small village in Dakahlia, Egypt sometime between 1898 and 1904. Her father was an Immam and taught her to recite the Qur'an. Her vocal talent was obvious by age 12 and he disguised her as a boy to perform in a group he managed. At 16, she was discovered by Abol Ela Mohammad who taught her the classical Arabic musical repertoire. Soon after that, the famous singer and oud player, Zakariyya Ahmad invited her to Cairo, where she eventually moved in 1923.

In Cairo, she mingled with the cultural class but retained her conservative ways. She met Ahmad Rumi, who wrote 137 songs for her through the years. She enjoyed her first public acclaim at the Arabic Theater Palace and by 1932 she was actively touring the Middle East. Her career included many movies with singing parts. She was known and loved across the Arab world for her Thursday night concerts broadcast on the first week of each month.

Oum Kalthoum had a strong attachment to her humble roots and many times used her fame to bring attention to causes she believed in. When she fulfilled the song request of Egyptian soliders being held in Israel, she made a life-long fan of Gamal Abdel Nasser, who later led the revolution and went on to become President of Egypt. However, because she had often sung for the overthrown Egyptian Royal family, she and her songs were banned from the radio. When Nasser found out, he had her brought back to the airwaves and thus, to the people of Egypt.

Throughout her nearly 50 year career, she was known for her lengthy renditions of songs, fueled by the audience's interaction. She died on February 3, 1975. Mourners filled the streets of Cairo by the millions to say farewell to the Voice of Egypt.