Karawan

 

She is resplendent in a midnight-blue gown and the latest hairdo. It is a hot summer night. Yet she feels no nervousness; she's used to this since childhood. And she feels alive when she sings, it brings her closer to God.

Today is an important day for her. President Nasser is the chief guest; among the hundreds of spectators for her concert. She has dressed extra carefully for the occasion. She can recognize many other high ranking government officials in the crowd too. But she is unfazed.

She merely stands on stage and greets the crowd; who is mesmerized and falls silent all at once. Her accompanists start strumming the oud and darbukas; building up a slow rhythm. She bursts into full-throated splendour with a plaintive number called 'Alif-Leila'. It is about the Arab legend of the doomed lovers, Alif and Leila. The story is ages old; and the crowd knows it already; but it seems to acquire a new meaning in her sonorous voice. She sings like a muezzin; calling the faithful to prayer. The song goes on, in her signature style, for a good half an hour before the music reaches a magnificent crescendo with a final refrain of 'ana bahibak'. The sheer virtuosity of it all momentarily stuns the crowd as the break into resounding applause followed by a standing ovation. They chant her name over and over again.

As always, she basks in her glory for a few minutes. Then she sends up a silent prayer, thanking God that her performance has managed to touch people's hearts. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see President Nasser nodding approvingly.

She feels that God has truly blessed her by giving her a voice that has won over millions. The power to make herself heard in a land where women have no voice of their own.  Music connoisseurs call her Um Kalthoum Ebrahim al-Biltagi. But to the common folk, she is 'al karawan', their beloved nightingale. The voice of pining lovers and unfulfilled desires; of newfound freedom and joyous occasions.

The voice that has the power to silence the entire country, whenever it is broadcasted on radio and television alike.

Today she is the greatest and most sought-after songstress in the Middle East. Everywhere she goes, fans throng her and request her to perform for them. She remembers the time when she had a throat disease and the doctors had told her she might not be able to sing again. So moved were the people, that for sometime, nearly everyone was praying for her speedy recovery, so that their nightingale would be able to sing once more. She thanks God yet again, for everything that he has brought into her life.

She has another concert coming up. As always, she will pray before the big event. On this occasion, her newest album will be released. And the spectators for this show have come all the way from Lebanon, so she will perform a few numbers from the new album instead of her old fare. She knows they have never heard her perform live. Sure enough, seconds into the performance, the crowd falls silent. And only one voice can be heard.

The voice of a nightingale; so melodious, that even the moon and stars have stepped out to listen.