Here is my modest attempt to translate Fairuz's song "Khidni Ya Habibi ุฎุฏูู ูุง ุญุจูุจู " [Take Me Away, My Love] from Arabic into English. This song has always had a special place in my heart, as does the operetta/musical Petra in which it was initially performed, back in 1978. I have uploaded a special video of the song, with optional English subtitles, to my YouTube Channel. To view subtitles, start playing video then click on CC at bottom of video screen/window. For bilingual English/Arabic version, scroll to bottom of page. Watch below or at https://youtu.be/Hi4-DAq72s8 [Narration] An Egyptian man arrived one night Carrying with him the mysteries of the Pyramids And the sublime color of the Nile He appeared out of nowhere Just like joy itself And he gave us hope. [Song] Take me away, my love To a house that has no doors Take me away my love To the moon that guides the forgotten Leave me in a deep slumb...
Lina Makoul: Exploring the Art-Capitalism Paradox Lina Makoul's Artistic Activism: Lina Makoul has long used her international profile to address social and political issues close to her heart and her new single, 'Fish Masari,' serves as a prime example. You can listen/watch below or at this link . Exploring the Art-Capitalism Paradox: Written and produced by Makoul and Nasir AlBashir, 'Fish Masari' delves into the intricate relationship between art and capitalism. This thought-provoking wake-up call delves into how art enriches the hearts and minds of countless individuals while often failing to sustain its creators. Makoul's astute observations and succinct lyrics match the track's powerful physicality. A Fusion of Arabic Musical Traditions: 'Fish Masari' is deeply rooted in Arabic musical traditions, incorporating Middle Eastern instrumentation, percussive rhythms inspired by traditional Palestinian wedding songs, and clever samples. The track...
Karim Al Iraqi (1955-2023) was a renowned Iraqi poet who passed away in Abu Dhabi on September 1, 2023 after battling cancer. He was 68. As I tribute, I am sharing his poem "Kana Sadiqi" ูุงู ุตุฏููู [He Was My Friend], an Arabic poem written by Iraqi poet Karim Aliraqi ูุฑูู ุงูุนุฑุงูู aka Karim Odeh ูุฑูู ุนูุฏู, about finding himself in the role of intermediary between a couple (two friends of his) whose love he had once witnessed but who were now breaking up. The poet speaks of his dilemma in the video below then goes on to recite the poem in Arabic. Poem translated into English by Dr. Ramzi Salti. ูุตูุฏุฉ "ูุงู ุตุฏููู" ููุดุงุนุฑ ูุฑูู ุงูุนุฑุงูู (ูุฑูู ุนูุฏู) ูุฎุงุทุจ ุจูุง ุญุจูุจูู ุงูุชุฑูุง ููุงู ูู ุงููุณูุท ุจูููู ุง ูุงูุฐู ูุดูู ูู ู ููู ุง ูู ูู ู ูุณุจุจ ุจุนุฏู ุนู ุญุจูุจู ุงูุขุฎุฑ. ุชุฑุฌู ุงููุตูุฏุฉ ุงูู ุงูุงูุฌููุฒูุฉ ุงูุฏูุชูุฑ ุฑู ุฒู ุณูุทู This video shows the poet, Karim Al Iraqi, reading his poem in 2014: Lyrics ููู ุงุช ุงููุตูุฏุฉ He was my friend and she was eternally his. Their love stor...