Umm Kulthum

Umm Kulthum (Singer)

Star of the East – Lady of Arabic Singing – The People's Artist

Personal Information:

Full Name: Fatima bint Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Sayyid Al-Baltaji

Nickname: Umm Kulthum

Date of Birth:

Officially: May 4, 1908

Actually (according to historians): December 31, 1898

Place of Birth: Tamaie Al-Zahayra, El-Senbellawein Center, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

Date of Death: February 3, 1975 (aged 76)

Place of Death: Cairo, Egypt

Cause of Death: Kidney failure

Place of Burial: Al-Basateen Cemeteries

Nationality:

Kingdom of Egypt (1922–1953)

Republic of Egypt (1953–1958)

United Arab Republic (1958–1971)

Religion: Islam ☪️

Spouses:

Mahmoud El-Sharif (brief marriage)

Dr. Hassan El-Hefnawi (1954–1975)

Titles and Nicknames:

Thuma

Star of the East ✨

The Lady

The Arab League

The Lyre of the East

Sun of the Past

The People's Artist

Lady of Arabic Singing

Owner of Authority

Artistic Life:

Profession: Singer, Actress 🎤🎬

Voice Type: Contralto

Language: Arabic (Egyptian dialect)

Years Active: 1916 – 1973 ⏳

Production Company: EMI Classics

Childhood and Upbringing:

Born into a modest family.

Her father was a muezzin and singer at village weddings.

She studied at the village kuttab (Quran school), showing early talent in memorization and recitation of the Quran 📖

First payment she received: A plate of muhallabiya (dessert) at a party where she sang in front of 15 people.

Early Artistic Beginnings:

Began singing at local village events with her father and brother.

First visit to Cairo: For the Isra and Mi'raj celebration, where a lady of the palace was so impressed by her voice that she gifted her a golden ring and three pounds.

She met Sheikh Abu Al-Ala Muhammad, who convinced her father to move to Cairo in 1921.

Major Successes:

Performed at Bosporus Theater and Al-Azbakeya Garden 🎶

Her first record was: "Wa Haqqika Anta Al-Muna wal-Talab", composed by Abu Al-Ala; 18,000 copies were sold.

Collaborated with:

Ahmed Rami ✍️ who wrote over 100 songs for her

Mohamed El-Qasabgi 🎼 who taught her musical maqams

Riyad Al-Sunbati, Zakaria Ahmed, Baligh Hamdi, Mohamed Abdel Wahab