Umm Kulthum was known to be taciturn despite being a famous singer whose craft centred on words. She seldom gave interviews and rarely spoke to her audience at concerts. On stage, she had a disciplined and commanding presence that mesmerised her audience. And when fans chanted her name, she only offered a gentle smile in return.
Little is known about her life—her birth, upbringing, family, early years, development, or marriage. The names of her hometown, family members, and collaborators aren't very well known either. This is because these details pale in comparison to her powerful essence. She was, quite simply, Umm Kulthum.
At a time when Arabs were busy shaping—and often diluting— their political and cultural identities, Umm Kultum was pushing the boundaries of her voice upon which her star power was built. Her moniker 'The Star of the East' is fitting—indeed, no other star is deserving of the celestial-esque title she embodied. Even as tragedies swept across the Arab world, her star continued to shine.
