chryssanthi sahar

That's why Egyptian dancers can improvise so well (at least they are supposed to be able to...) And although I am not Egyptian, I follow their example One should be ready for everything and should be able to dance different kinds of music.
As about Oum Kalsoum, me as a non Arab who understands only very little Arabic, would never dare to dance on a sung version of an Oum Kalsoum song. Of course never ever on a song sung directly by her, but also not on a song of hers sung by somebody else. I can understand the feelings of the Egyptian people about that. I only dance instrumental versions of Oum Kalsoum, because even if I don't know the lyrics, the music itself touches me.

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Oriental dancer and instructor of Greek origin, living in Germany
www.chryssanthi.com

Lydia dubai

If you are serieus about bellydancing ,you must learn about Oum Khaltoum and her music if you dont you just mis to much....the words and the music will touch even if you dont understand the lyrics, but try to get a translation if you like a song the words are like no other songs...aswell you will be able to perform on it much better if you know what the words say....Lydia

Jet Phoenix

Thanks for the tip! I just added it to my netflix queue!

summerdance

C Sahar,

I agree Egyptian Dancers or even good Egyptian style dancers have great improv skills. The ability to read and know instinctively what your audience knows is key. I really appreciate your words. It means so much to me to see the level of respect that you have for the music and for Um Kulthum. That is nice to see


Um Kulthum's lyrics touch such a deep part of me. Another reason I've always loved her is her songs are essentially poetry. Songs like "Akaad Ashuk Feek" and "A Ghadan Alghaak" and " Yali Yishgeek Anini " have even young kids walking the streets singing in highly sophisticated Arabic. She brought poetry back to our kids. Arab people have always prided ourselves on our linguistic abilities. The poets of the past and the writers of today share this great lyrical language of ours. Um Kulthum along with Ahmed Rami and Riyad Al Sunbati brought that back to the masses.
I teach Arabic here in WA and it amazes me and humbles me when a student of mine has that moment where it all clicks. " now I get it" that's so exciting for me!

Jet! I am glad you'll be watching the DVD. It is amazing. Omar Sharif is narrator and you should really enjoy it. I liked it so much I watch it over and over again,

gisela

I really like Fatme Serhan and she has a lot of Oum Kolthoum-songs. I know also people who dance to them. What do you think of her?

I don't feel as I'm ready to dance to Oum yet, as in PERFORM, since I don't think I'm responding emotionally enough with my body.

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You need chaos in your soul to create a dancing star-nietzsche

summerdance

Hi Gisela,

I like Fatme Serhan when she does baladi music. She has a nice voice. she sings as if she's still in upper egypt. She's so passionate when she really gets going!
Who are your other favorite singers. Do you like Asala, or Najwa Karam?
In Egypt we value, 'Beha' . Beha is literally Hoarseness. Um Kulthum has that in abundance. It's not so much that her voice gives out or anything. It's the emoting of the words and the ability to capture her audiences heart breaks and joys.
I have 6 aunts and as a young girl I remember bing treated to whatever they were going through. Each had an um Kulthum song that got them through relationships, babies, sudden deaths and I would hear so much of that.

My older relatives remember her national music best.

Damariz

I loved that documentary! It really showed how much Oum Kalthoum meant to the Egyptian people. My favorite parts were of people singing the melodies and explaining what the lyrics meant to them. To me, Oum Kalthoum is to the egyptians what Celia Cruz is to Cuba. The salsa queen touched the hearts of all ages and all nationalities in Latin America, just like Oum Kalthoum did for the Arab world. I have not met any hispanics not appreciating Celia Cruz and her music.

Hopefully no one gets upset by that compasion but it helps me empathize with the emotional baggage felt with Oum Kalthoum songs.

Ecuabellydancer

Thanks for this comparison Damariz, it helps me understand better the respect people on this forum have for Oum Kalthoum

Zurah

Ditto! I hadn't thought of it that way, and it is a helpful comparison. Ms Cruz was/is much loved and respected even by people who weren't really into her style of music.

Souzan

The sweet melancholia of Lissa Fakkir seems to touch a universal chord that so much contemporary music doesn't even acknowledge.

Souzan