Today Marks 78th Death Anniv. of Renowned Syrian Singer Asmahan

The 78th death anniversary of renowned Syrian singer Amal Al Atrash, also known as Asmahan, will be observed today.

The most famous singer of her day breathed her last on the morning of 14 July 1944, in curious circumstances, according to the Egyptian newspapers.

The fascination with Asmahan and her quiet music has not abated in the seven decades since the world tragically lost her.

Asmahan, who was born on 22 November 1912 to a royal Syrian family, catapulted to fame for her soulful voice and effortless singing and her songs continue to be an inspiration for Arab world fans.

Often referred to as the ‘Queen of Arab Romantic Music,’ Al-Atrash gave numerous hits that garnered attention from people across the Arab world.

Here are some of her most popular evergreen tunes: ‘Ya Habibi Taala Elhaani’, ‘Emta Hata’ Raf’, 'Dakhalti Marrah', 'Aleik Salat Allah, 'Ahwa' 'Ya Toyour' 'Elward'and ‘Layali El Ouns Fi Vienna’

Atrash was married three times and had only one daughter called Kamellia with her first husband, Prince Hassan Al-Atrash.

She dated also the renowned director Ahmed Badrkhan before the relationship fell through, the TV presenter and well-known journalist Ibrahim Issa reported.

The nasal singer made her movie debut with her brother Farid Al-Atrash and Bishara Wakim in The Triumph of Youth (1941).

She was known for collaborations and associations with legendary Egyptian composers like Dawood Hosni and Riyad Al-Sunbati or names such as Mohamed El-Qasabgi and Medhat Assem.

In her second and last movie (Passion and Revenge), starring Anwar Wagdi, Mahmoud el-Meligy, and Youssif Wahabi, Asmahan was paid EGP 17,000, the highest wage paid to a female star at the time, the Egyptian media unveiled.

Unfortunately, she didn’t complete it because she died before the end of filming in 1944.