Star of The East, Umm Kulthum Famous Egyptian Singer, Songwriter and Film Actress

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Photo Source: Flickr via Al-fanarmedia.org

FEMUSINDO.com - Umm Kulthum with the birth name Fatima ʾIbrāhīm as-Sayyid al-Biltāǧī was born in Tamay ez-Zahayra Village in El Senbellawein, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

Since birth registration was not enforced throughout the Arab world at that time, Umm Kulthum's date of birth has not been confirmed.

Several sources have different opinions regarding Umm Kulthum's date of birth. Some claim that she was born on December 31, 1898; December 31, 1904; or May 4, 1904.

Singer, Songwriter and Film Actress

She was a famous Egyptian singer, songwriter and film actress who was active from the 1920s to the 1970s. She was nicknamed Kawkab al-Sharq or "Star of the East" in Arabic.

Umm Kulthum was known for her extraordinary vocal ability and style. She learned to sing by listening to her father teach her brother, Khalid.

At a young age she showed extraordinary singing talent. Her father, an imam at the local mosque, taught her to recite the Qur'an, and she is said to have memorized the entire book.

Most Popular and Famous Arab Singers

In 1934, Umm Kulthum sang for the inaugural broadcast of Radio Cairo, the state station. During the second half of the 1930s, two moments established Umm Kulthum as the most popular and famous Arab singer.

She appeared in musical films and broadcast live concerts on the first Thursday of each month of her musical season from October to June.

In 1944, King Farouk I of Egypt awarded her the highest order (Nishan el kamal), a title reserved exclusively for members of the royal family and politicians.

Umm Kulthum's Golden Age

Umm Kulthum's musical direction in the 1940s and early 1950s and her mature performing style made this period popularly known as Umm Kulthum's "golden age".

She was one of the greatest and most influential Arab singers of the 20th century, selling over 80 million records worldwide.

Umm Kulthum, a famous singer and actress in the Middle East, died in Cairo, Egypt, on February 3, 1975, at the age of approximately 76. 

His funeral procession became a national event, with some 4 million mourning Egyptians lining the streets to catch a glimpse of his coffin as it passed.

In fact, his funeral reportedly drew a larger audience than the late president at the time. Amazing! (*)