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History of Al Kabli....
نسخة عربية
Giant of modern Sudanese music, Abdel Karim El Kabli is a poet, composer,
and folklorist who plays the oud (lute)
with deceptive ease and whose deep melodious voice embraces both classical
and ‘Arabic styles. Talented in his own right as a lyricist, he has also
set classical poetry to music and delved into the treasury of folk songs
of North, East and Central Sudan, fascinated by the diversity of rhythm
and melody to be found in Africa’s largest country. In the 35 years
since his first concert appearance - when he sang the ‘Song for Asia and
Africa’ at the National Theatre in Omdurman in honor of President Nasser
of Egypt - El Kabli has become a walking encyclopedia of his country’s
musical heritage.
EL Kabli was born in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, moving to Khartoum
at the age of 16 to attend Khartoum Commercial Secondary School. He
taught himself first the penny whistle and then the oud
(lute). His first employment was in the clerical section of the
judiciary where he became ‘courts inspector’. After early successes in
the 1960s, he went to live in Saudi Arabia for a few years in the late
1970s. Having found financial security but little creative impulse he
returned to Sudan, his primary source of inspiration.
His role in rediscovering and collecting Sudanese folklore has since
brought invitations to lecture at academic institutions and perform at
cultural events in many countries. Although like most Sudanese singers his
songs are mainly about love, his lyrics increasingly tackle issues of
social and human concern. He lives in Khartoum with his wife and five
children.
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