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Taken
from: Cairo International Song Festival |
Among
the best said about Warda since her childhood
till she reached the top of her fame, was Abd
El Wahab's words about her: "She has a nice, broad
voice with special abilities, that other singers
lack. I feel safe when she sings my tunes and
I am sure people will receive them so easily". |
The
Beginning
Warda was born in Paris of an Algerian father
& Lebanese mother, In 1954 when She was fifteen
years old, the Algerian revolution took place,
her talent became so obvious, her father &
elder brother "Hamidou" permitted her to sing
at their own amusement center. It was so famous
among the Arabs residing in Beirut by presenting
Arab songs. At first She used to imitate Asmahan
& Om Kolthoum, i.e. singing their songs, together
with her French songs. |
Her
brother taught her Arabic Language, then Ahmad
Eltigany, manager of the Arabic Department in
Paris Radio, the one who discovered her talent,
used to write her Arabic words in Latin letters,
Her brother was responsible of helping her to
read the Arabic Language, when She came to Egypt,
Fatouh Nashaty gave her some training concerning
Egyptian accent & elocution. |
Warda
left Paris shortly after that as the French authorities,
all of a sudden closed their center, hotel, then
confiscated their building, claiming that her
father Mohammad Fatouky was aiding the Algerian
fighters by giving them shelter & weapons
during Algeria's battle against the French occupied
forces. |
The
2nd Stage
Warda's second stage was in Beirut, her mother's
homeland, as her father's return to his country
was so risky, She found herself many fans there.
When She was in the seventeenth, She started singing
for the first time in an amusement center located
in the mountains; Warda was so lucky to find out
that Mohammad Abd ElWahab the great composer was
among the attendees. His friend Flimon Wahba persuaded
him to listen to her voice; in return Abd ElWahab
praised her talent, which later on made other
composers so keen to offer her their tunes. |
Warda
was a success in Beirut, capable of singing in
Lebanese, Algerian and Egyptian accents specially
the songs of Asmahan, Om Kolthoum & Laila
Morad, Also in French as her mother tongue. |
The
3rd Stage
Beirut has been the starting point for every artist,
aiming to be eminent at Cairo " Hollywood of the
East". Her golden opportunity was in 1959, when
She was presented at the Broadcasting celebration
by the late announcer Galal Mowad in Damascus.
The occasion was the 1st anniversary of the Egyptian
Syrian Unity. At that celebration, She sang two
songs: I am from Algeria, I am Arab and " Ana
men ElGazaer ,Ana Arabia", Beautiful" Gameela",
her success was outstanding, then She came to
Cairo to fulfill her dreams. She met the late
TV director Mohammad Salem who asked Riad ElSonbati,
the great composer, to give her one of his tunes.
Her first song was "Leibet El Ayam" which was
shot at the TV, broadcasted many times. |
Warda
became famous in no time, many composers participated
with her in many songs, as Mohammad Fawzy &
Baligh Hamdi then She was offered from both composers
& cinema companies to be a movie star, She
starred in two films in the years 1962, 1963 under
the name of: " Almaz" & "Amirat AlArab". Warda
faced many problems, and as a result of a rumor,
She left to Algeria where She got married to an
Algerian responsible then She gave birth to two
kids: Riad & Wedad. After a short time, they
got divorced, She returned back to Egypt to presume
her activity with a song composed by Baligh Hamdy:"Ad
ElOyoon ElSoud", then they fell in love, got married
for about seven years. |
Warda
in Brief:
She has more than two hundred songs by great composers
as: Riad ElSonbaty, Mohammad Abd ElWahab, Baligh
Hamdy, Kamal ELTaweel, Mohammad ElMogy, Farid
ElAtrash, Sayed Mekawy, Mahmoud ElSherif, Helmy
Bakr, Amar ElSherei, Monir Morad, Abd ElAzim Mohammad,
Mohammad ElQasabgy, Fouad Helmy, Helmy Ameen,
Ibrahim Rafaat, Mohammad Fawzy, Gamal Salama,
Mohammad Sultan, Mohammad Mohsen, Samy ElHefnawy
& Salah ElSharnouby.
- She
starred other four films: " Sout ElHob", "
Hekayty Maa ElZaman" in 1973, " Ah Ya Leil
Ya Zaman" in 1977, "Leih Ya Donia" in 1993.
- She
performed only one play" Tamr Henna", and
one series" Awraq ElWard".
- She
sang one of Abd ElWahab's famous songs" Ya
Mesafer Wahdak", and another of Farid El Atrash's
" Ahbabena Ya Ein" , which were of a great
success.
- Her
last song was " Bawadaak" composed by Baligh
Hamdy, who died few months later.
- Her
last album " Ana Leyah Meen Gherak" was in
May 2001.
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By:
Paul Harding |
Not
much Middle Eastern popular music gets released
in the states, but when it does, it often makes
a refreshing treat. The new album by Arabic star
Warda is no exception. Her popularity has been
understandably expanding for over 30 years, especially
in Egypt. |
Warda
grew up in Paris above her father's Arabic night
club, sneaking downstairs to listen to the bands
and singing to herself. At the age of eleven she
was discovered and put on French radio. Later
she lived and performed in Lebanon, Egypt and
eventually back to her father's home of Algeria. |
Warda's
self titled release is a collection of some of
her works from the first half of the nineties.
Her passionate vocals work as perfectly with the
soaring orchestral strings as they do with upbeat
synthesized accompaniment, between which the album
carries a delicate balance. Known as "The Rose
of Algeria," Warda at the same time coaxes emotions
with her voice and compels physical response with
her Arabic dance rhythms. |
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By:
Tim Sheridan |
You
may well have heard Warda (born Warda Al Jazairia)
as background noise in some Middle-Eastern restaurant
and not thought twice. But a closer listen to
this heady mix of Eastern rhythms and Western
contemporary pop just might put your head in a
spin. |
Warda's
sultry voice is set against a background of lush
strings, finger cymbals and assorted exotica.
All the tunes here run an average of eight minutes,
but if you decide to explore something a little
different, you may just thank yourself. |
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From:
Egyptian Castle Website |
Warda
is a very popular singer in the Arab world and
especially in Egypt, where she has moved to from
Algeria many years ago. Warda has a unique style
in singing and a beautiful powerful voice,
yet passionate and soft. She has acted in
few movies with many famous Egyptian Actors. She
is still todate active and enjoying a spot at
the top of the singers list in Egypt.
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