RIP #Warda , the Rose of the Arab world

Warda in March 2012

Egypt and Algeria have lost tonight a true diva , Warda Al-Jazairia or just simply Warda “1940-2012” had passed away in her house in Cairo after suffering a cardiac arrest. The Algerian president will send a private jet to transfer her body to Algeria where she will be buried in the Great Algerians cemetery that include the tomb of Algerian president Houari Boumediene  there. Warda in Arabic means a rose in English
The French born half Algerian half Lebanese singer is part of Egyptian culture singing scene memory , a true legend when I remember her songs which new generations ignore. I feel so sad.
I loved her songs , her voice and her style , she was a true diva.
Now I know my words will make some Algerians angry but I consider her Egyptian as much as they consider her Algerian. I can’t forget how she sang for Egypt after 1973 war chanting “How beautiful my country is”, this love in her voice in Egypt was just incredible.

Warda : Helwa Beladi 1973

A rising star in the Arab world in late 1950s and 1960s , the golden years of Warda were in the 1970s especially after her marriage from famous music composer Baligah Hamdy as they presented some of the best romantic Arabic songs.

Warda and Baligah Hamdy in 1970s

Warda and Baligah Hamdy in 1970s

Artistically Warda knew how to keep her stardom till the 1990s presenting light songs using video clips surviving more than any 1960s singer.Her voice had still magic as in the past.

Warda : The days game “1963”

Warda was not only a singer but also an actress, she made 5 films and 2 TV series throughout her career. My generation remember “Almaz and Abdou El Hamoli” , “The victims of the revolution” and “The princess of the Arabs” when it comes to cinema. When it comes to TV her 1970s TV series “The days of roses” was extremely popular and her song in that series remained popular especially among children for years.

Warda : I have got a parrot

She starred in another TV series , I think from couple of years ago that was not successful still it was good to see her back. Here is a famous song from one of her 1970s films.

Warda : The story of my life

Politically Warda got her own share of trouble when she married for a while our war minister Abdel Hakim Amar for couple of years in early 1960s by force. Amar divorced her later to marry Berlanti and the rest is history known for everybody.
In time of Mubarak she became unwelcomed in Egypt for awhile because an incident during a concert in mid1990s that was organized by armed forces. I remember that concert very well because I had seen on air then later in the re-run after it was edited. In brief Warda told Mubarak “Come on and sing with us Mr. President”. To be honest both Mubarak and Warda did not look well on that night , I can’t forget that concert or how Warda made the young officers in the backseats dance on the beat of “Haramt Ahebak” while the supreme commander of armed forces was sitting in the front seat like a mourner.
Here is “Haramt Ahebak” or “I stop loving you” from a concert in France in mid 1990s.

Warda : Haramt Ahebak

And here is another song for lady Warda , the diva.

Warda : Batwanes Beek

Here is a photo gallery dedicated to Warda “Source : Warda Facebook Page”

May Allah bless your soul dear Warda for joy you spread through the Arab world with your voice.

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