Culture and Art
Mutlaq Al-Dhiyabi, "Samir Al-Wadi"... A tribe of voices and talents
Anyone who studies the biography of Mutlaq Al-Dhiyabi, famously known as (Samir Al-Wadi), is not just reading the history of an artistic man, but rather viewing a song of pure gold
Whoever contemplates the biography of Mutlaq Al-Dhiyabi, famously known as (Samir Al-Wadi), is not merely reading the history of an artistic man, but rather viewing a song of pure gold, whose letters were engraved with strings of feeling, and whose sentences were formulated with a voice belonging to a pure time, that time in which talent alone was sufficient to create immortality.
This man's uniqueness doesn't stem from a single, easily categorized talent, but rather from a creative energy imbued with culture, taste, and sincerity, pulsating in every direction. He cannot be reduced to a single attribute, nor confined to a single field, for he is a phenomenon that transcends the vocabulary of profession to touch the very essence of art. The sensitive poet, the resonant broadcaster, the sensitive composer, the melodious singer, and the critical writer—all these are facets of one man, yet each facet seemed to be an independent art form in itself.
When Mutlaq Al-Dhiyabi appeared on the airwaves, it was as if radio was discovering its true voice. His vocal quality wasn't a display of range, but rather a vehicle for a story larger than the voice itself. And when he sang, he seemed to be weaving a melody from the memory of the desert, from the longing of a lover, and from the beauty of the heritage he had read with the awareness of a poet and performed with the soul of an artist.
In the realm of influence, glory is not attained by those who merely echo or shadow fame, but by those who forge their presence from their own essence and carve their own path with a style mastered by no one else. Mutlaq Al-Dhiyabi, or "Samir Al-Wadi" as he chose to be known in the artistic scene, was not just a fleeting name in the annals of song, radio, or poetry; he was a rare phenomenon that defies being reduced to a single label.
His influence was not contrived or sought after, but rather stemmed from the uniqueness of his talent and the breadth of his understanding. His brilliance did not come from his mastery of singing alone, nor from his skill in writing alone, nor from his radio excellence, but rather from this mosaic that was formed within him; for the writer, the musician, the singer, and the broadcaster were all gathered in the body of one man, yet he continued to sing as if he were a tribe of throats, and to write as if the letter was created only to respond to him, and to speak as if his voice was the horizon.
He was born in Amman, but he carried his voice to Mecca, and from there to the airwaves of the entire Kingdom, and then to the memory of the Gulf.
He was influenced by Mohamed Abdel Wahab, but he wasn't merely an echo of him. Instead, he developed his musical sensibility with the logic of someone searching for their own identity, not with the logic of someone imitating an influence. When Abdel Wahab was asked about his voice, he said, "I would love to compose for him… his voice has a warmth and a new tone," a testament sufficient to show how exceptional Mutlaq was in an era where excellence wasn't a luxury, but a battle for survival.
His media presence was no less dazzling than his artistic one. At Jeddah Radio, which at the time was a factory of voices and rhetoric, Al-Dhiyabi's voice was like water flowing through the airwaves. The richness of his voice was not merely a quality, but a tool for persuasion, and his poetic style was not a linguistic embellishment, but a gateway to the heart.
His impact today is not measured by the number of songs circulating, but by the depth of his name in the cultural memory. In an era rife with voices and diverse styles, the name "Samir El Ouadi" remains synonymous with the prestige of a pioneer, the warmth of an innovator, and the precision of an artist who left nothing to chance in his work.
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Culture and Art
Hani Mehanna: The truth about Halim and Souad's marriage and my assessment of Sherine and Amr Diab
Musician Hani Mehanna reveals the behind-the-scenes details of his relationship with Sherine Abdel Wahab, presents his vision of Amr Diab's career, and puts an end to the controversy surrounding the marriage of Abdel Halim Hafez and Souad Hosny.
Controversial statements by musician Hani Mehanna
In a frank and bold interview, the great Egyptian musician Hani Mehanna opened his box of artistic and personal secrets, revealing behind-the-scenes details of his meetings with singing stars in Egypt, and presenting his vision that sparked widespread controversy regarding the career of artist Sherine Abdel Wahab, and the phenomenon of Amr Diab, in addition to settling one of the most famous romantic stories in the history of Arab art, which is the relationship of the dark-skinned nightingale Abdel Halim Hafez with the Cinderella Souad Hosny.
Sherine Abdel Wahab: A genuine popular voice and a turning point
Mohanna reminisced about his first meeting with the artist Sherine Abdel Wahab, admitting that he was surprised by the power of her voice and the sincerity of her innate emotion. Despite this initial fascination, Mohanna stated that he did not see Sherine as a singer in the classical sense. During his interview with journalist Yasmine Ezz on the program "Kalam El Nas" (People's Talk), he explained: "I told Sherine frankly that she wasn't suited to being a singer in the traditional sense, and that popular music was the broader field in which she could truly shine." Mohanna attributed his opinion to the nature of her powerful and direct voice, which possesses a unique ability to easily touch the hearts of a wide audience, a characteristic that distinguishes Egyptian popular music.
He noted that the song "Garh Tani" (Another Wound) was a pivotal turning point in her career, solidifying her artistic identity and opening the doors to stardom wide for her. He emphasized that her strong artistic personality and commanding presence contributed to the widespread popularity of her work, making her one of the most important female voices in Egypt and the Arab world over the last two decades.
Amr Diab: Exceptional artistic intelligence reminiscent of Abdel Halim
In his assessment of Amr Diab's career, Mohanna expressed his deep appreciation for him, describing him as one of the most important figures in contemporary music and the owner of a unique artistic experience that has remained at the forefront of the scene for decades. However, he surprised many by saying, "Amr Diab reminds me of Abdel Halim Hafez, even though he's not a singer." Mohanna explained his view by saying that Diab possesses exceptional artistic intelligence that compensates for any artistic shortcomings, just as Abdel Halim Hafez did. He added, "He's very clever; he fills in a singer's artistic deficiencies with his intelligence, and he's one of those stars who have a long life.".
He explained that his concept of a "singer" is linked to the ability to improvise and deliver pure, captivating music, something he believes Amr Diab embodies with intelligence and a well-thought-out approach, rather than relying on traditional methods. He emphasized that this doesn't diminish Diab's value; on the contrary, it highlights his profound understanding of the tools for success and his rare ability to innovate and keep pace with the times, making him a natural continuation of the school of great masters, but with his own unique style.
The truth about the marriage of Abdel Halim Hafez and Souad Hosny: The doctor had his say
Hani Mehanna addressed one of the most controversial issues in the history of Egyptian art: the truth about the marriage of Abdel Halim Hafez and Soad Hosny. Mehanna categorically denied the rumors confirming their marriage, stating, "Abdel Halim and Soad Hosny had a love affair, but they did not marry." He revealed the real reason behind the marriage not taking place, explaining, "The doctor forbade Abdel Halim from marrying due to his health condition.".
Muhanna's statement adds a new dimension to this story that has captivated public opinion for decades. It is well known that Abdel Halim Hafez suffered throughout his life from schistosomiasis and its serious complications, which significantly impacted his personal life and decisions. Muhanna's testimony, as someone close to many stars of that era, confirms that the Nightingale's critical health condition was the primary obstacle to his formal marriage to the woman he loved, leaving their love story as one of the most famous unfulfilled romances in Arab memory.
Culture and Art
The film "Al-Sit" by Umm Kulthum: Declining revenues threaten its withdrawal from cinemas
The film “Al-Sit” starring Mona Zaki, which tells the story of Umm Kulthum, is facing the risk of being withdrawn from theaters after a sharp decline in its daily revenues despite critical and popular acclaim.
A shocking decline threatens the film's future in theaters
The film "El Sett," which tells the life story of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, faces a significant challenge that could lead to its withdrawal from Egyptian cinemas. This threat comes after a sharp and sudden decline in its daily box office earnings. The film, starring Mona Zaki, recorded its lowest figure ever, with revenues on one recent day not exceeding 13,500 Egyptian pounds from the sale of only 99 tickets. This shocking figure contrasts sharply with the film's strong start, during which it grossed millions of pounds. This puts its producers and distributors in a difficult position and makes its removal from cinemas imminent, to make way for other films that are attracting larger audiences.
Umm Kulthum: An artistic icon and a cinematic challenge
Umm Kulthum, or "The Star of the East," is considered one of the most prominent artistic and cultural icons in the history of Egypt and the Arab world. Her influence has spanned decades, and her songs and voice remain an integral part of the Arab consciousness. Therefore, presenting her life story in a film represents a tremendous challenge and a significant artistic responsibility. The film not only tells the story of a successful singer but also documents an entire historical era and reintroduces a figure who influenced millions and became part of the region's cultural identity, which explains the great interest the film has garnered since its announcement.
Widespread controversy and subsequent praise
From its very first moments, the film sparked controversy, primarily concerning the physical resemblance between actress Mona Zaki and the legendary Umm Kulthum. However, this controversy quickly subsided with the praise Mona Zaki received for her performance. Critics and audiences alike lauded her ability to embody the spirit of "The Lady" and her complex human and artistic dimensions. The film also enjoyed significant support from the late singer's family, which gave it a major boost at the start of its run and contributed to its initial success before the box office fortunes shifted.
An artistic and human journey with a distinguished team
The film "El Sett" (The Lady), directed by Marwan Hamed and written by Ahmed Mourad, explores various aspects of Umm Kulthum's life, showcasing her artistic and personal journey that shaped her enduring legend. The film boasts a stellar cast, including Mohamed Farag, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Sayed Ragab, and Tamer Nabil, along with special appearances by prominent actors such as Ahmed Helmy, Amr Saad, Karim Abdel Aziz, Nelly Karim, and Amina Khalil, reflecting the scale and significance of the production. This impressive ensemble cast makes the film's box office decline all the more surprising and invites deeper analysis into the reasons behind the audience's sudden disinterest in this important work.
Culture and Art
The truth about Ahmed Ezz's financial support for Zeina and their children, according to official figures
The lawyer of artist Zeina denies rumors that she receives millions monthly from Ahmed Ezz, and reveals the real figures for expenses and her suffering with the difference in the exchange rate of the British pound.
Zeina's lawyer denies rumors of millions and reveals the real figures
Lawyer Moataz El-Dakr, representing Egyptian actress Zeina, categorically denied reports circulating about his client receiving 2.5 million Egyptian pounds monthly in alimony from actor Ahmed Ezz. During a phone interview on the program "Kol El Kalam," El-Dakr asserted that these figures circulating on social media are baseless and intended solely to stir controversy and mislead public opinion in a case that has captivated the nation for years.
The lawyer explained that the actual amounts awarded by the court are far less than the rumored figures. The monthly child support includes 60,000 Egyptian pounds, in addition to 35,000 pounds for housing and 5,000 pounds for childcare. Annual school fees are estimated at around 700,000 pounds. He emphasized that these official figures are the only ones that reflect the legal reality and are far removed from the alleged millions.
The currency exchange problem: paying in pounds sterling and receiving payment in Egyptian pounds
The lawyer highlighted a significant financial challenge facing actress Zeina, one that many overlook. He pointed out that his client is obligated to pay her children's school fees in British pounds because they attend international schools. In contrast, the law requires actor Ahmed Ezz to pay these fees in Egyptian pounds, according to the exchange rate in effect when the court rulings were issued several years ago. This places a heavy burden on Zeina due to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, forcing her to cover the difference from her own funds. This directly contradicts the image some try to portray of her as easily acquiring vast sums of money.
Background of the dispute: A legal battle to establish paternity
The roots of this case lie in years of legal and media conflict between the two stars, which began when Zeina announced her marriage to Ahmed Ezz and the birth of their twins, Zein El-Din and Ezz El-Din, a claim Ezz vehemently denied. Zeina resorted to the courts in a protracted battle to establish the paternity of her children, culminating in a final ruling from the Family Court confirming Ahmed Ezz as the father of the twins. Following this ruling, a series of lawsuits ensued to determine various expenses, including food, clothing, housing, and school fees, a saga that continues to this day.
The societal impact of the issue and the role of the media
The case of Zeina and Ahmed Ezz is particularly significant as it sheds light on personal status issues in Egypt and the challenges women face in securing their children's rights. It also reveals the complexities of the legal process, which the lawyer described as lengthy and exhausting, with each case taking years to resolve through the courts of first instance and appeal. He criticized what he called the "quagmire" of social media, which contributes to exaggerating figures and creating fabricated narratives, negatively impacting not only the parties involved but also distorting the image of family law cases and creating societal discord based on misinformation.
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