TWO DECADES AND A RISHA: FROM CAIRO’S STREETS TO SCHOLARLY FEATS (Part 2)

by Dr. Raja Zulkarnain In the vibrant heart of Cairo, where life’s symphony plays amidst the echoes of ancient grandeur, the legacy of Umm Kulthum, Egypt’s most venerated musical icon, thrums as deeply as the strings of my oud . Born on May 4, 1904, Umm Kulthum, or “ Kawkab al-Sharq ” (Star of the East), began her ascent to stardom in the early 1920s, her voice becoming the soulful conduit for the emotions and stories of a nation. Her music, a tapestry of love, loss, and longing, resonated with millions, transcending the Arab world to find a special place in the hearts of Malaysians. Umm Kulthum’s powerful, political music shattered gender norms and established her as a social phenomenon, earning her the moniker “Egypt’s fourth pyramid.” Her influence reached global proportions, touching Western legends like Bob Dylan and Robert Plant, who deeply admired her. In Malaysia, her melodies and profound poetry bridged cultures, uniting diverse communities in a shared appreciation for her ar...