Google Doodle paid on Sunday homage to one of Lebanon's most distinguished musicians Melhem Barakat.
Who was Melhem Barakat?
Barakat was born on this day in 1945 in the Lebanese town of Kfarshima, near the capital of Beirut. The late icon was an acclaimed singer, composer, and actor known for his unique musical style and extraordinary live performances.
He took pride in being one of few musicians to perform primarily in colloquial Lebanese Arabic throughout his iconic career.
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Melhem Barakat[/caption]
The icon's teachers recognized his vocal gift at an early age when he performed an original composition to a rapt audience at his school.
Later on, Barakat performed in theatrical performances and proved himself as one of the country’s most promising voices.
As the musician's career progressed, he began to compose original music and developed a signature style that combined classical elements with improvisation, which consequently, achieved great success and opened the gates of stardom and fame, not only in singing but also in the entertainment industry.
He established a huge fan base across the Arab world. His powerful voice reverberated across the globe as he toured internationally from Australia to the United States.
Along with his singing career, Barakat also embarked on an acting career, during which he starred in multiple Lebanese films in the 1980s.
In 2008, Barakat received the prestigious lifetime achievement award at Lebanon’s annual Murex d’Or ceremony for his contributions to Lebanese entertainment.
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