Name Abdessadeq Cheqara Role Singer | Died October 31, 1998 Albums Melodias De Una Vida | |
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Similar People Sawt el Atlas, Saida Fikri, Rajae Belmlih, Aziza Jalal, Naima Samih | ||
Abdessadek chakara ya bent bladi wmv
Abdessadeq Cheqara (1931 – October 31, 1998) (in Arabic: عبد الصادق شقارة) was a Moroccan singer of traditional Andalusian classical music and Moroccan folk music. Known as the grand master of al-Ala (Andalusian music), he was also a violin and oud virtuoso.
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Life
Abdessadeq Cheqara was born in Tetuan, Morocco. His father, Abdessalam Cheqara, was a singer and musician in Tetuan, while his mother, Assoudia Alharrak, was descended of a family of poets, musicians and philosophers.
From a young age, Cheqara was drawn to music and poetry, being influenced by his father, who gave him his first oud.
Cheqara sang Andalusian and traditional Moroccan folksongs in mawawil (improvised solo), inshad (solo) styles.
Cheqara did much to popularize Andalusian music. Prior to the advent of Abdessadeq, Andalusian music was largely an elite music for Andalusians alone.
Much of the Andalusian popular songs or Cha'abi (Sha'abi) are believed to have been appropriated from female Andalusian musicians of Tetuan such as Hajja Shili and Hajja Shahaba. Because of sexism, they were not permitted to record or perform if any males were present and are henceforth not well known. Reportedly Abdessadeq Chekara used to sit with Hajja Cha'haba and Hajja Shili and learn the women's songs, only to go on to record them. Many of the popular Andalusian songs (such as Ben't Bladi) are written from a women's perspective.
Abdessadeq died on October 31, 1998, after a prolonged illness.
Legacy
His work in preserving and developing the Andalusian legacy continues with fellow Tetuani, Tarik Banzi of Al andalus ensemble, or Radio Tarifa.
Records and events
Other notable achievements include:
Spelling
His first name is also written Abd el Saddeq, Abdessadek, Abdesaddek, and many other variations. His surname is variously spelt Chekara, Cheqara, Chqara, Sheqara, Shekara, Shkara, and variations thereof.