Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Sayed Darwish

Role / Field:

Father of Egyptian popular music, a pioneering composer and singer.

Born:

1892-03-17

Died:

1923-09-15

Century / Era:

1892s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Sayed Darwish (Arabic: سيد درويش, IPA: [ˈsæjjed dæɾˈwiːʃ]; 17 March 1892 – 14 September 1923) was an Egyptian singer and composer who was considered the father of Egyptian popular music and one of Egypt's greatest musicians and seen by some as its single greatest composer. Sayed Darwish was born in Alexandria on 17 March 1892. During his childhood his family could not afford to pay for his education, so he was sent to a religious school where he mastered the recitation of the Quran, studying under Muhammad Salamah. After graduating from the religious school and gaining the title Sheikh Sayyed Darwish, he studied for two years at al-Azhar, one of the most renowned religious universities in the world.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He left his studies to devote his life to music composition and singing, then entered a music school where his music teacher admired his talents and encouraged Darwish to press onward in the music field. Darwish at that time was also trained to be a munshid (cantor). He worked as a bricklayer in order to support his family, and it so happened that the manager of a theatrical troupe, the Syrian Attalah Brothers, overheard him singing for his fellows and hired him on the spot...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akira Mutō — Contemporary (Born in 1892) (1892): Imperial Japanese Army General implicated in war crimes during WWII.
• Alexander Alekhine — Contemporary (Born in 1892) (1892): A celebrated Russian-French chess master and four-time World Champion.
• Alexander Cartwright — Contemporary (Died in 1892) (1892): Founding member of the Knickerbockers and developer of early baseball rules.
• Aaron Spelling — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Alan Shepard — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American astronaut, second in space and first American on the Moon.
• Alden W. Clausen — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): American businessman, former President of the World Bank and Bank of America CEO.
• Alexander McQueen — Shared historical date (03-17 · Born) (1969): Iconic British fashion designer known for theatrical, boundary-pushing collections.
• Bayard Rustin — Shared historical date (03-17 · Born) (1912): Pioneering organizer of nonviolence, civil rights, and socialist movements.
• Agatha Christie — Shared historical date (09-15 · Born) (1890): The 'Queen of Crime,' a master of the mystery genre, best-selling author of all time.
• André Le Nôtre — Shared historical date (09-15 · Died) (1700): Master French landscape architect, famed for the formal gardens of Versailles.
• 1892 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1892
• March 17 (03-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 17
• 1923 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1923
• September 15 (09-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on September 15

Frequently Asked Questions about Sayed Darwish