Sayed Mekawy
Encyclopedia
Sayed Mekawy (Arabic: سيد مكاوي ) was an Egyptian singer and composer.
Mekawy was born in Cairo
Sayeda Zeinab district of Al-Nasriya on May 8, 1927.
Mekawy became popular in Egypt and the Arab world; his music has become part of Arab heritage. The great Egyptian composer and singer Sayed Mekawi died on April 21, 1997, aged 70.
Throughout his life, he remained undaunted by modern innovations and the attempts of rivals to produce another type of music.
When his father died, Mekawy cried for days. Later, the pain eased, but the tears kept flowing. Doctors were powerless either to diagnose his condition or to stop the tears. One day, however, he could no longer see. This affliction did not prevent him from learning the Qur'an
or becoming an Azharite scholar.
Having been trained in the art of reciting the Qur'an, Mekawy's voice could soar, gruff but powerful, to thrill his listeners. He sang solo using his lute at numerous concerts, though this is not what brought him fame, or confirmed his status as one of the most gifted and popular composers of oriental music.
What brought him fame, however, was the unforgettable character of al-Missaharati, the man who announces the pre-dawn meal during the month of Ramadan
, that he and Fuad Haddad created in 1951. A popular figure during the holy month, the Missaharati was given new life by Haddad's words and Mekawy's music. Composed to the beat of the traditional "Tabla
" (Drum), it stirs up feelings of patriotism, nationalism and pride in Arab Muslim culture. The Missaharati represented an entire generation, expressing its suffering, frustrations and dreams. When Al-Missaharati was aired for the first time on the radio, it instantly became a symbol of national aspirations. Forty years later, it continues to help the faithful keep vigil, exhorting Muslims to rise for their pre-dawn meal.
Touching his audience to the quick, Mekawy in fact, touched on all the important economic, social, intellectual and political issues directly concerning the less privileged classes. Critical of any national shortcoming, he was prompt to deride bureaucracy in his song Al-lstemara Rakba Al-Humara ("The Questionnaire on a Donkey"). But Ha'n hareb ("We Shall Fight"), which came out in 1956, and Al-Ard Bitetkalem Arabi ("The land Speaks Arabic"), composed after 1973, were also true expressions of pride in his country.
More than anything, however, Mekawi will be remembered for his contribution to Egyptian folklor music and especially the operetta
Al-Leila Al-Kebira ("The Big Night"), for which he wrote the music to the words of poet Salah Jahin
. First conceived for the radio, describing the last and most important night of the "Moulid", a saint's festival, it was later adapted for the puppet theatre and aired on television, becoming an instant and lasting success with children and grown-ups alike.
Mekawy died on the 11th anniversary of Salah Jahin
's death. Of Salah Jahin
, he used to say, "We get along like "Assal" with "Tehina", (molasses
and sesame paste which always go together).
Mekawy was born in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
Sayeda Zeinab district of Al-Nasriya on May 8, 1927.
Mekawy became popular in Egypt and the Arab world; his music has become part of Arab heritage. The great Egyptian composer and singer Sayed Mekawi died on April 21, 1997, aged 70.
Throughout his life, he remained undaunted by modern innovations and the attempts of rivals to produce another type of music.
When his father died, Mekawy cried for days. Later, the pain eased, but the tears kept flowing. Doctors were powerless either to diagnose his condition or to stop the tears. One day, however, he could no longer see. This affliction did not prevent him from learning the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
or becoming an Azharite scholar.
Having been trained in the art of reciting the Qur'an, Mekawy's voice could soar, gruff but powerful, to thrill his listeners. He sang solo using his lute at numerous concerts, though this is not what brought him fame, or confirmed his status as one of the most gifted and popular composers of oriental music.
What brought him fame, however, was the unforgettable character of al-Missaharati, the man who announces the pre-dawn meal during the month of Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
, that he and Fuad Haddad created in 1951. A popular figure during the holy month, the Missaharati was given new life by Haddad's words and Mekawy's music. Composed to the beat of the traditional "Tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
" (Drum), it stirs up feelings of patriotism, nationalism and pride in Arab Muslim culture. The Missaharati represented an entire generation, expressing its suffering, frustrations and dreams. When Al-Missaharati was aired for the first time on the radio, it instantly became a symbol of national aspirations. Forty years later, it continues to help the faithful keep vigil, exhorting Muslims to rise for their pre-dawn meal.
Touching his audience to the quick, Mekawy in fact, touched on all the important economic, social, intellectual and political issues directly concerning the less privileged classes. Critical of any national shortcoming, he was prompt to deride bureaucracy in his song Al-lstemara Rakba Al-Humara ("The Questionnaire on a Donkey"). But Ha'n hareb ("We Shall Fight"), which came out in 1956, and Al-Ard Bitetkalem Arabi ("The land Speaks Arabic"), composed after 1973, were also true expressions of pride in his country.
More than anything, however, Mekawi will be remembered for his contribution to Egyptian folklor music and especially the operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
Al-Leila Al-Kebira ("The Big Night"), for which he wrote the music to the words of poet Salah Jahin
Salah Jahin
Mohammad Salah Eldin Bahgat Helmy , known as "Salah Jaheen" or "Salah Jahin" was a leading Egyptian poet, lyricist, playwright and cartoonist.-Life and career:...
. First conceived for the radio, describing the last and most important night of the "Moulid", a saint's festival, it was later adapted for the puppet theatre and aired on television, becoming an instant and lasting success with children and grown-ups alike.
Mekawy died on the 11th anniversary of Salah Jahin
Salah Jahin
Mohammad Salah Eldin Bahgat Helmy , known as "Salah Jaheen" or "Salah Jahin" was a leading Egyptian poet, lyricist, playwright and cartoonist.-Life and career:...
's death. Of Salah Jahin
Salah Jahin
Mohammad Salah Eldin Bahgat Helmy , known as "Salah Jaheen" or "Salah Jahin" was a leading Egyptian poet, lyricist, playwright and cartoonist.-Life and career:...
, he used to say, "We get along like "Assal" with "Tehina", (molasses
Molasses
Molasses is a viscous by-product of the processing of sugar cane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The word molasses comes from the Portuguese word melaço, which ultimately comes from mel, the Latin word for "honey". The quality of molasses depends on the maturity of the sugar cane or sugar beet,...
and sesame paste which always go together).
Selected works
- 100 musical compositions for religious songs.
- 30 compositions celebrating the Prophet's birthday or MawlidMawlidMawlid or sometimes ميلاد , mīlād is a term used to refer to the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad which occurs in Rabi' al-awwal,...
Al-Nab. - Al-Missaharati.
- Umm Kulthum's Ya Messaharni.
- The operettaOperettaOperetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
Al-Leila Al-Kebira. - Music for several TV series.
- He wrote music for almost all popular singers, except Abdel Halim HafezAbdel Halim HafezAbdel Halim Ali Shabana commonly known as Abdel Halim Hafez , is among the most popular Egyptian and Arab singers and performers. In addition to singing, Halim was also an actor, conductor, business man, music teacher and movie producer...
. - He also acted in one film directed by Ali Badrakhan, "Al-Arous Al-Saghira" (The Little Bride).
- Composed the music to "Harun Al-RashidHarun al-RashidHārūn al-Rashīd was the fifth Arab Abbasid Caliph in Iraq. He was born in Rey, Iran, close to modern Tehran. His birth date remains a point of discussion, though, as various sources give the dates from 763 to 766)....
", a TV series with Mahmoud Al-Saadani and Salah JahinSalah JahinMohammad Salah Eldin Bahgat Helmy , known as "Salah Jaheen" or "Salah Jahin" was a leading Egyptian poet, lyricist, playwright and cartoonist.-Life and career:...
. - Among his most popular songs are "Nashid Al-Muqawma Al-Sha'biya" (The Popular Resistance Anthem), "Gana Al-Fagr" (Dawn is upon us), and "Ummal Hafr Al-Qanal" (The workers who dug the Canal).
See also
- list of Egyptians
- سيد مكاوي