In 1941, they starred in their first successful movie Intisar a l-Shabab (انتصار الشباب – The Triumph of Youth, 1941), in which Farid himself composed all the music. His sister, Asmahan, was also a talented singer, and for a while they worked together. Eventually, he was hired as an oud player for the national radio station and later as a singer. In the 1930s, al-Atrash began his professional singing career by working for privately owned Egyptian radio stations. He studied in a music conservatory and became an apprentice of the renowned composer Riyad as-Sunbaty. Farid's mother sang and played the Oud, which spurred his musical interest at an early age.Īs a child and young adult, al-Atrash sang in school events. Later, they were naturalized by the Egyptian government as citizens. As a child, al-Atrash emigrated with his mother and siblings to Egypt, escaping the French occupation. His father was Syrian and his mother was Lebanese. He died at the age of 64 in 1974 in Beirut.Atrash will always be remembered as one of the Arab world’s greatest performers.Al-Atrash was born in al-Suwayda, in southern Syria to the Druze al-Atrash family who fought the French colonial army. His music catalogue is comprised of more than 220 songs like “Gameel Gamal” (So Beautiful), “Esmaa’ Lama Aaolak” (Listen to Me), “Wahdany” (I am Alone) and “Ziena.”Īcting with Egyptian cinema icons like Shadia and Samia Gamal, Atrash was in more than 30 films, including “Intesar El Shabah” (Youth Victory), “Habib El Omr” (My Love), “Resalah Min Emra’a Maghola” (Message from Unknown Woman) and “Montaha El Farah” (Extremely Happy). Referred to as the “King of Oud,” Atrash composed a number of iconic musical compositions for leading signers including his sister (Asmahan), Fayza Ahmed, Fatheya Ahmed, Shadia and Sabah. Following many failed attempts, he finally succeeded and released his first single “Ya Retny Tair” (I Wish I Could be a Bird). Shortly after, he attempted to perform on Egyptian National Radio. Having a great passion for music, Atrash collaborated with Badia Masabni, the Lebanese actress and belly dancer.

Then, he joined the High Institute of Music in Cairo. There, he learned, from his mother to sing and play the oud. His family participated in the resistance against the French Occupation of Syria.ĭue to the danger of war in Syria, Al Atrash immigrated with his mother, brother, Fouad, and sister, Asmahan, to Egypt. CAIRO – 26 December 2017: In honor of the iconic Syrian singer and actor Farid El Atrash, Egypt Today presents his life and career.īorn in 1910, Farid El Atrash was born into a Druze family in Southern Syria.

Farid el atrash