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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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