The Um Kalthoum I Got To Know...

El Sit :)

Um Kalthoum (for those who don't know her) is known as "the Star of the East". More than three decades after her death, she is still recognized as the Arab world's most famous and distinguished singer of the 20th century.

Throughout my life Um Kalthoum to me was just a woman that used to squeeze her tissue as she sang. She meant nothing to me.

Back in school days, we used to make fun of her and do the same "squeezing" thing as a joke.

It was only in my early twenties when I started to appreciate her songs and of course her lovely voice. I have to say: "She is in a league of her own".

I don't know what made me start liking her songs, but I remember well how it started...
It was on Thursdays (or Fridays) after a late night outing, I used to turn on the radio and listen to her as I drove around the city alone (as some people call it "carwaza", lol). I used to love doing that.

Now, i listen to her songs when i like to think of anything dear to me or a nice memory.

Here are my favorite Um Kalthoum songs:

• "Inta Omry" (one of the best intros I ever heard).
• "Hagartak" (the song that made me love Um Kalthoum's singing, and I think it's my number 1 Um Kalthoum song)
• "Fat EL Ma3ad" (yasda7mad).
• "Sert EL Hob" (Sha7tefny yam3alem…).
• "7ayart 2alby" (aaaah ya 2asy !! ).

I now leave you with the intro clip of "Hagartak" song :

To listen to it online: http://www.aramusic.com/htmls/sid246.htm (click the Real Player link).

Mood: Metmazeg :)