Fatma Ahmad Kamal Shaker (Egyptian Arabic: فاطمه أحمد كمال شاكر; 8 February 1931 – 28 November 2017), better known by her stage name Shadia (Egyptian Arabic: شاديه, Shādya), was an Egyptian actress and singer. She was the third wife of Salah Zulfikar. She was famous for her roles in light comedies and drama in the 1950s and 1960s. Shadia was one of the iconic actresses and singers in Egypt and the Middle East region and a symbol of the golden age of Egyptian cinema and is known of her many patriotic songs.

Shadia
شاديه
Shadia, 1961
Born
Fatma Ahmad Kamal Shaker
فاطمه أحمد كمال شاكر

(1931-02-08)8 February 1931
Died28 November 2017(2017-11-28) (aged 86)
Cairo, Egypt
NationalityEgyptian
Other names
  • Idol of the Masses
  • Guitar of the Arabic Song
  • The Golden Guitar
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1947–1984
Spouses
HonoursOrder of Sciences and Arts

Shadia's films and songs are popular in Egypt and all the Arab world. Critics consider her the most successful comprehensive Egyptian and Arabic artist of all time. Her first appearance in a film was in "Azhar wa Ashwak" (Flowers and Thorns), and her last film was "La Tas'alni Man Ana" (Don't Ask Me Who I Am).[1]

She is also known for her patriotic song "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love.) Her breakthrough leading role came in the 1959 Egyptian film "Al Maraa Al Maghoula" (The Unknown Woman) directed by Mahmoud Zulfikar.[2] Six of her movies are listed in the top 100 Egyptian movies of the 20th century.

In April 2015, Shadia became the first actress to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the Egyptian Academy of Arts. She was given the nickname "Idol of the Masses" following her successful movie "Ma'budet el Gamahir" (Idol of the Masses).[citation needed] Other notable nicknames include "The Guitar of the Egyptian Singing" (Egyptian Arabic: جيتارة الغنا) and "The Golden Guitar" (Egyptian Arabic: الجيتاره الدهبيه).[citation needed]

Early life

edit

Shadia was born "Fatma Ahmad Kamal Shaker" on 8 February 1931, in Elhelmiyya Elgedida, in Cairo, Egypt, to an Egyptian father Ahmed Kamal Sahker[3] from Sharqia and a mother of Turkish origin.[4][5] In 1947, she fell in love with an Egyptian officer from Upper Egypt, and was heartbroken by his death during the 1948 war.[6] Shadia had five sisters and brothers. She was the youngest of her sisters and the second youngest among all her siblings. Since her childhood, Shadia loved to sing and was encouraged to pursue music at primary school.

Career

edit

Shaker gave herself the stage name "Shadia", after the name of a newborn of one of her family's friends. She began acting at the age of fifteen. In her heyday during the 1950s and 1960s, Shadia acted in numerous melodramas, romance, and comedy films. However, it was her singing talent that established Shadia as one of the most important Egyptian cinema stars of her era.[7]

 
Lobby Card for Wakeful Eyes (1956), with Salah Zulfikar and Shadia

Overall, as "Shadia", she performed in more than 100 films.[7] Shadia is credited for acting alongside leading man Salah Zulfikar in his film debut, "Oyoun Sahrana" (Wakeful Eyes, 1956). Later, she paired with Zulfikar in six films, forming a famous duet, achieving major commercial and critical success, and becoming an Egyptian cinema classic. She also starred in more than 30 films with the actor Kamal El Shennawy, and sang opposite Farid El Atrash and Abdel Halim Hafez, such as in "Ma'boudat El Gamaheer" (The People's Idol, 1967). She appeared with Faten Hamama in Ezz El-Dine Zulfikar's "Mawe'd Ma'a El Hayah" (Appointment with Life, 1954), and in "El Mar'a El Maghula" (The Unknown Woman, 1959) by Mahmoud Zulfikar, she played the role of Fatma in a heavy melodrama.

Other films she starred in include "El les we El Kelab" (The Thief and the Dogs, 1962) with Shoukry Sarhan, where she played the role of a prostitute for the first time. She starred in comedy roles in films such as "El Zouga raqam 13" (Wife Number 13, 1962).

 
Shadia in the late 1950s

Her famous trilogy alongside Salah Zulfikar; "Merati Modir 'Am " (My Wife, the Director General, 1966), "Karamat Zawgaty" (My Wife's Dignity, 1967) and "Afrit Merati" (My Wife's Goblin, 1968), were huge successes.[7] Shadia was often cast in cunning and cheeky roles, however, she also played serious roles, such as in Salah Zulfikar Films production; "Shey Min El Khouf" (A Taste of Fear, 1969) and "Uyoon Sahranah" (Wakeful Eyes, 1956) by Ezz El-Dine Zulfikar and "El Tareeq" (The Road, 1964) based on a book by Naguib Mahfouz, and "Lamset Hanan" (A Toutch of Tenderness, 1971), her last film opposite Salah Zulfikar.

Shadia performed in the 1985 stage version of "Raya and Sakina", which was based on the 1953 film and true story of two Alexandrian serial killers, directed by Salah Abu Seif.[7] She produced two films, and appeared in several films in Japan.

 
Shadia with Salah Zulfikar in Aghla Min Hayati (1965)
 
With Salah Zulfikar in My Wife, the Director General (1966)

As a singer, Shadia was called "the voice of Egypt". During hard and war times, she was famous for her Egyptian patriotic songs, especially "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love)[8] and "Aqwa Mn El Zaman" (Stronger Than Time). She participated in many operettas about Egypt and the Arab world along with other Egyptian and Arabic singers, including: "Al Watan Al Akbar" (The Great Nation), "El Geel El Sa'ed" (The Rising Generation), and "Soot El Gamaheer" (The Voice of the Masses). Her mega hit song "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love), was considered one of the best patriotic songs ever. During a TV-interview, Shadia said regarding her famous patriotic song: "When I am singing to my homeland, it is even way more romantic and more honest than any romantic song. Here I am singing to my home, my land. There was a period when Egypt's name was erased (Nasser's era), Egypt’s name will never get erased from our hearts".[9] After almost 25 years of retirement, Shadia's song became an anthem of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.[10]

 
Shadia in the 1960s

Upon returning from the premiere of "Raya and Sakina", Shadia stated that she gave serious thought that night to the idea of repentance. The following morning, she informed her producers that she wanted no part in the play from then on, but eventually promised to finish her work when they insisted that she do so. Thereafter, Shadia retired from the film and music industry, and went on a Umrah to Mecca, where she met the popular Egyptian Azhari scholar Sheikh El Shaarawy. Her meeting with El-Shaarawy influenced Shadia to reach her final decision to start wearing the hijab.[11]

Retirement

edit

Shadia retired at the age of 50, citing the reason for her retirement as religious. She explained that she had been through many hard periods and rough circumstances throughout her life including struggling with cancer and depression that had veered her from her career. She decided to dedicate the rest of her life to caring for orphan children, stating that was her life's greatest joy. She also donated to charities, a decision she said she never once hesitated to make.[12]

Personal life

edit

Shadia fell in love with an army officer who was killed during the battles of the 1948 Palestine War. Years later, In 1953, she was married to actor Emad Hamdy. This marriage lasted for 3 years and ended with divorce on good terms. In 1958, Shadia married Aziz Fathi, who was a radio engineer. He was several years younger than Shadia, and it did not take long until problems arose between Shadia and her husband. She filed a lawsuit that continued for a long time in courts and was sentenced to divorce after a marriage that lasted 3 years.[13]

 
Shadia with her husband Salah Zulfikar and a Russian actress at a cinematic event for A Taste of Fear in Semiramis InterContinental Hotel, Cairo in 1969

Shadia's third and final marriage came after a highly publicized love story with actor and producer Salah Zulfikar. She fell in love with Zulfikar in 1964 while filming Dearer than my Life (1965) and they married in the same year. Zulfikar, who was a box office mogul, shared the lead with Shadia in highly successful ventures mid-1960s.[14][15] In one of her press interviews, she stated that he was the love of her life and he was the only man with whom she wished to have children. Unfortunately, she became pregnant three times and suffered a miscarriage each time. This turned out with depression though Zulfikar who already had children from his first marriage, tried to help her overcome her depression and produced A Taste of Fear (1969) with Shadia in the lead, the film turned out to be one of her cinematic masterpieces.[16] Her depression lead to the end of this marriage and they got divorced in 1970. Shadia never remarried.[17][18]

Illness and death

edit

Shadia was hospitalised on 4 November 2017 after suffering a massive stroke in Cairo. She was placed under intensive care.[19] Her nephew, Khaled Shaker, said during a televised phone conversation that she recovered from the stroke and could identify her relatives and the people around her. He added, however, that her illness was complicated by pneumonia, despite her recovery.[20] Shadia's condition stabilised on 9 November,[19] and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited her that day at Al-Galaa Hospital. Shaker later said that the first words she spoke after recovering were "I want to go home", but had speech difficulties in general.[21]

On 28 November, Shadia died from respiratory failure caused by the pneumonia.[22]

Tribute

edit
 
Shadia, c. 1961

On February 8, 2021, Google celebrated her 90th birthday with a Google Doodle. The Doodle was displayed in Egypt, Palestine and Sweden.[23]

Filmography

edit
Source:[24]
Year Title Egyptian Arabic title
1947 Flowers And Thorns Azhar W Ashwak أزهار و أشواك
1947 Mind in Holiday El Aql Fi Agazah العقل فى اجازه
1947 Pigeon Of Peace Hamamet El Salam حمامة السلام
1948 Justice Of Heaven 'Adl El Sama عدل السماء
1948 The Soul and the Body El Ruh W El Gasad الروح و الجسد
1949 Speech Of People Kalam El Nas كلام الناس
1949 Nadia Nadia ناديه
1949 Owner Of Millims Sahebat El Malalim صاحبة الملاليم
1949 Eve Of Feast Lilet El Id ليلة العيد
1950 The Hero El Batal البطل
1950 An Hour for Your Heart Sa'ah L Qalbak ساعه لقلبك
1950 The Seventh Wife El Zogah El Sab'ah الزوجه السابعه
1950 Nothing Dice Ma'leshsh Ya Zahr معلش يا زهر
1950 People Were Unjust To Me Zalamuni El Nas ظلمونى الناس
1950 Days of My Youth Ayam Shababi أيام شبابى
1951 Busy with Not Me Mashghul B Gheri مشغول بغيرى
1951 Eve Of Wedding Lilet El Hennah ليلة الحنه
1951 Mister Lion El Sab' Afandi السبع أفندى
1951 Earphone Of Telephone Sama'et El Telephone سماعة التليفون
1951 In Love Together F El Hawa Sawa فى الهوا سوا
1951 Storm in Spring Asefah F El Rabi عاصفه فى الربيع
1951 The Caravan Moves El Qafela Tasir القافله تسير
1951 My Children Awladi أولادي
1951 My Mother-in-Law Is An Atomic Bomb Hamati Qonbelah Zariyyah حماتى قنبله ذريه
1951 To Whom I Complain? Ashki l Min أشكى لمين
1951 World Is Sweet El Donya Helwah الدنيا حلوه
1951 Patience Is Well El Sabr Gamil الصبر جميل
1951 Dew Drops Qatr El Nada قطر الندى
1952 Hopes Amal آمال
1952 The Killer Mother El Omm El Qatelah الأم القاتله
1952 Home of Embezzler Bit El Nattash بيت النتاش
1952 Anger Of Parents Ghadab El Waledain غضب الوالدين
1952 Love Has No Remedy El Hawa Malush Dawa الهوا ملوش دوا
1952 Good Comer Boshret Khir بشرة خير
1952 The Unlucky One Qalil El Bakht قليل البخت
1952 Girl Of Shore Bent al Shati بنت الشاطئ
1952 Coming Goodness Qaddam El Khir قدم الخير
1952 My Life Is You Hayati Enta حياتى انت
1952 I Wronged My Soul Zalamt Rohi ظلمت روحى
1952 Fault Of Father Ghaltet Abb غلطة أب
1952 Down With Imperialism Yasqot El Este'mar يسقط الاستعمار
1953 Your Luck This Week Hazzak Haza El Esbu حظك هذا الاسبوع
1953 Me and my Lover Ana W Habibi انا و حبيبى
1953 Testimony O People Eshhadu Ya Nas اشهدو يا ناس
1953 Between Two Hearts Bin Qalbin بين قلبين
1953 Right Word Kelemet Haqq كلمة حق
1953 Your Tongue Is Your Horse Lesanak Hosanak لسانك حصانك
1953 The Bread-Seller Baeat El Khobz بائعة الخبز
1953 The Honest Thief El Less el Sharif اللص الشريف
1953 I'm on My Own Malish Hadd ماليش حد
1954 Appointment with Life Maw'ed Ma' el Hayah موعد مع الحياه
1954 Forter Than Love Aqwa Men al Hobb أقوى من الحب
1954 Adventures of Ismail Yasin Moghamarat Ismail Yasin مغامرات اسماعيل ياسين
1954 I Am The Love Ana El Hobb انا الحب
1954 Daughters Of Eve Banat Hawa بنات حواء
1954 Daughter Of Neighbors Bent el Giran بنت الجيران
1954 Horor Of Girl Sharaf El Bent شرف البنت
1954 Injustice Is Forbidden El Zolm Haram الظلم حرام
1954 Don't Think Ewa Tefakkar إوعا تفكر
1954 Help Me With Employee Of Marriage Elhaquni B El Mazun الحقونى بالمأذون
1954 Women Can't Lie El Setat Ma Yerafush Yekdebu الستات مايعرفوش يكدبوا
1954 A Night of my Life Lilah Men Omri ليله من عمرى
1955 Melody Of Loyality Lahn El Wafa لحن الوفاء
1955 The Shore of Memories Shati El Zekrayat شاطئ الذكريات
1956 The Leech Shabab Emraah شباب امرأة
1956 Farewell at Dawn Wada Fi El Fagr وداع فى الفجر
1956 Spring Of Love Rabi El Hobb ربيع الحب
1956 Wakeful Eyes Oyun Sahranah عيون سهرانه
1956 Dalila Dalilah دليله
1956 Farewell Your Love Wadat Hobbak ودعت حبك
1957 Lawahez Lawahez لواحظ
1957 You Are My Lover Enta Habibi انت حبيبى
1958 Fiery Love Hobb men Nar حب من نار
1958 Fault of My Lover Ghaltet Habibi غلطة حبيبى
1958 The Escaper El Harebah الهاربه
1958 Hearts Of Virgins Qolub El 'Azara قلوب العذارى
1959 Pity My Heart Erham Qalbi إرحم قلبى
1959 Nest Of Love Esh al Gharam عش الغرام
1959 The Unknown Woman El Marah El Maghulah المرأه المجهوله
1960 Agony of Love Lawat El Hobb لوعة الحب
1960 Together Forever Ma'an Ela Al Abad معاً إلى الأبد
1961 Don't Remember Me La Tazkorini لا تذكرينى
1961 The Schoolgirl Al Telmizah التلميذه
1962 Wife Number 13 El Zugah Raqam 13 الزوجة رقم 13
1962 Forget The World Ensa El Donya إنسا الدنيا
1962 A Woman in Whirlpool Emraah Fi Dawwamah امرأه فى دوامه
1962 Chased by the Dogs El Less W El Kelab اللص و الكلاب
1962 The Miracle Al Mo'gezah المعجزه
1963 On the Banks of the Nile Ala Defaf El Nil على ضفاف النيل
1963 Cairo at Night Al Qahera Fi El Lil القاهره فى الليل
1963 El Madaqq Zoqaq al Madaq زقاق المدق
1963 Extreme Joy Montaha el Farah منتها الفرح
1964 Thousand And One Nights Alf Lilah E Lilah ألف ليله و ليله
1964 The Road El Tariq الطريق
1965 Dearer Than My Life Aghla Min Hayati أغلا من حياتى
1966 My Wife, the Director General Merati Modir Am مراتى مدير عام
1967 Idol Of Public Masses Mabudet El Gamahir معبودة الجماهير
1967 My Wife's Dignity Karamet Zawgati كرامة زوجتى
1968 My Wife's Goblin Afrit Merati عفريت مراتى
1969 A Taste of Fear Shi Men El Khuf شيء من الخوف
1969 Half An Hour Marriage Nos Saah Gawaz نص ساعه جواز'
1969 Miramar Miramar ميرامار
1970 Tailor Of Ladies Khayyat El Sayyidat خياط للسيدات
1970 We Don't Plant Thorn Nahno La Nazra El Shuk نحن لا نزرع الشوك
1971 Touch Of Tenderness Lamset Hanan لمسة حنان
1972 Lights Of City Adwa El Madinah أضواء المدينه
1973 Double Face Zat El Waghin ذات الوجهين
1974 Lover Woman Emraah Asheqah امرأه عاشقه
1974 The Fugitive El Hareb الهارب
1974 Forbidden Memories Raghabat Mamnuah رغبات ممنوعه
1976 Waves Without Shore Amwag Bela Shati امواج بلا شاطئ
1979 Doubt O My Lover El Shakk Ya Habibi الشك يا حبيبى
1981 Valley Of Memories Wadi El Zekrayat وادى الذكريات
1984 Don't Ask Me Who I am La Tasalni Mann Ana لا تسألنى من انا

References

edit
  1. ^ فاطمه احمد كمال شاكر أو شاديه هى بطلة أول فيلم مصرى يابانى.. معلومات قد لا تعرفها عن "دلوعة السينما المصرية", Nogoum FM, 2017, retrieved 30 November 2017
  2. ^ Shadia, The Beloved Egyptian Singer and Actress passes away, 29 November 2017
  3. ^ حياة الدلوعة شادية, 8 February 2016
  4. ^ بالصور.. في عيد ميلاد دلوعة السينما الفنانة شادية..ولدت لأب مصرى و أم مصرية وتبني موهبتها حلمى رفلة, 8 February 2016, ولدت بالقاهرة لاب مصري يعمل مهندسا زراعيا ..وام مصرية قامت بغناء اغنية لـ "ليلي مراد" امام احد المطربين لتكون اول طريقها للفن تبني موهبتها المنتج والمخرج حلمي رفلة ليقدمها في اكثر من عمل فني
  5. ^ السيرة الذاتية – شادية, في 8 شباط/فبراير 1931 ولدت فاطمة كمال الدين أحمد شاكر، التي عرفت فيما بعد بالفنانة الكبيرة شادية، بالحلمية الجديدة بالقاهرة، لأم مصرية وأب مصري الأصل كان يعمل مهندساً زراعيا بالمزارع الملكية. كان ترتيب شادية الخامسة بين اخوتها حيث يكبرها أشقاؤها محمد وسعاد وطاهر وعفاف.
  6. ^ السيرة الذاتية ورحلة العمر, خفق قلب الفنانة شادية بالحب لأول مرة عام 1947 لضابط أسمر من الصعيد. وبينما كانت شادية تتأهب لعد قرانها كانت يد القدر أسبق فخطفت حبيبها الذي سقط شهيداً في ساحة الحرب بين العرب وإسرائيل عام 1948.
  7. ^ a b c d Ginsberg, Terri; Lippard, Chris (2010), "Shadia (1931–)", Historical Dictionary of Middle Eastern Cinema, Scarecrow Press, p. 360, ISBN 978-0810873643
  8. ^ بالفيديو.. شادية تكشف عن كواليس أغنية "ياحبيبتى يامصر", أضافت شادية أن أغنية "ياحبيبتى يامصر" تعتبر سبب رجوعها مرة أخرى ووقوفها على المسرح بعد غياب 4 سنوات، مشيرة إلى أن المؤلف محمد حمزة بدء فى كتابة الكلمات، ولحنها الفنان بليغ حمدي في الحال، حتى أنها تم تسجيلها قبل أغنية "عالي".وحكت شادية عن أول سفرية لها خارج مصر مع والديها، قائلة: "بمجرد ابتعاد الباخرة عن الميناء شعرت بحب جديد دخل قلبى وهو حب الوطن"، مضيفةً أنها لم تستكمل مدة سفرها فكان من المقرر أن تقضي شهرا، لكنها عادت بعد18 يوما.
  9. ^ بالفيديو.. شادية تكشف عن كواليس أغنية "ياحبيبتى يامصر", أضافت شادية أن أغنية "ياحبيبتى يامصر" تعتبر سبب رجوعها مرة أخرى ووقوفها على المسرح بعد غياب 4 سنوات، مشيرة إلى أن المؤلف محمد حمزة بدء فى كتابة الكلمات، ولحنها الفنان بليغ حمدي في الحال، حتى أنها تم تسجيلها قبل أغنية "عالي".وحكت شادية عن أول سفرية لها خارج مصر مع والديها، قائلة: "بمجرد ابتعاد الباخرة عن الميناء شعرت بحب جديد دخل قلبى وهو حب الوطن"، مضيفةً أنها لم تستكمل مدة سفرها فكان من المقرر أن تقضي شهرا، لكنها عادت بعد18 يوما.
  10. ^ Shereen Hafidh The big names who left us in 2017: Loved or unloved, they left their mark on the Arab world, The National, December 30, 2017
  11. ^ Ghaleb, Ghada (9 July 2015). "فنانات تائبات: شادية ترتدي الحجاب بعد وفاة والدها وشقيقيها.. والشعراوي ينصحها بالابتعاد عن أصدقاء الشيطان (ح 2) [Repented actresses: Shadia wears the hijab following the deaths of her father and brother.. Shaarawy advises her to avoid Satan's friends (p. 2)]". Al-Masry Al-Youm. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  12. ^ "عربيات تنفرد بحوار مع الفنانة المعتزلة شادية | مجلة عربيات الدولية". 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Ten Facts about the legendary Shadia". EgyptToday. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  14. ^ "10 times Salah Zulfakar pioneered best scenes in Egyptian cinema". EgyptToday. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  15. ^ Aya Atef. "فن في ذكرى وفاتها.. أسباب طلاق شادية وصلاح ذو الفقار بعد قصة حب".
  16. ^ Khalifah, Omar (27 October 2016). Nasser in the Egyptian Imaginary. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-1-4744-1020-5.
  17. ^ "الفن أبقى من الجواز .. نجوم تعاونوا فى أعمال فنية رغم الطلاق .. شادية وعماد". اليوم السابع (in Arabic). 3 June 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  18. ^ Aboshady, Aya (14 February 2019). "12 Black and White Egyptian Couple Goals of All Time!". Identity Magazine. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Iconic singer Shadia's health condition stable: syndicate official". Egypt Independent. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  20. ^ "فيديو التفاصيل الكاملة لحالة شادية الصحية.. تواجه أزمة جديدة [Video with full details of Shadia's medical condition.. She's facing new problems]". Hia. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  21. ^ "ماهي أول كلمات شادية بعد استعادة وعيها من جلطة دماغية؟ [What were Shadia's first words after recovering from a stroke?]". Al Arabiya. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  22. ^ "التهاب رئوي تسبب بوفاة شادية [Pneumonia cause of Shadia's death]". 24.ae. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  23. ^ "Shadia's 90th Birthday". Google. 8 February 2021.
  24. ^ Qassem, Mahmoud (1999). دليل الممثل العربي في سينما القرن العشرين [Guide to the Arab Actor of 20th Century Cinema]. Arab Nile Group. p. 107. ISBN 9775919029.
edit