Shadia's 90th Birthday

Google Dooles 08.02.2021 00:05  Date: February 8, 2021 If you flip through the channels of cable television in an Arabic-speaking country for long enough, you are bound to stumble upon an Egyptian movie released between the 1940s and ‘60s, an era revered as the nation’s golden age of cinema. Today’s Doodle, illustrated by guest artist , celebrates the 90th birthday of an icon of this era, the beloved Egyptian actress and singer best known by her stage name Shadia. Born Fatma Ahmed Kamal Shaker on this day in 1931, Shadia was first recognized as a gifted singer by her family. At 16, Shadia’s father entered her into a talent competition where she caught the attention of two eminent Egyptian directors, who later helped launch her film career. Shadia’s skills as an actress and dancer coupled with her evocative voice made her a darling of the Arab entertainment industry for close to forty years. She appeared in over 100 roles, from movies to radio plays, and garnered widespread critical acclaim for her comedic and dramatic performances alike. Many of her films featured iconic musical numbers now regarded as classics of Egyptian cinema, like her 1957 duet with : “Ya Salam Ala Hobi Wi Hobak” . Shadia also released dozens of hit songs, several of which remain popular today. Her patriotic ode “Ya Habibty Ya Masr” has been played with such frequency during national events and celebrations, some even consider it Egypt’s unofficial national anthem! Happy birthday, Shadia. Your performances continue to capture hearts across the Arab world and beyond. Early concepts and sketches by guest artist Ahmad Thabit Location: , , Tags: , , , , , , , ,