Mohammed Helail, a Star in the Yemeni Religious Chants [Archives:1999/42/Culture]
October 18 1999
The Yemeni literary tradition is very fertile and rich with different artistic figures who have substantially contributed to it throughout its multidimensional, long history. The Yemeni chants art has witnessed many classical chanters. The traditional chants were deep-seated in our literature and are by no means a new phenomenon that has recently come to light.
The Yemeni chants have played a vital role in our literary growth and prosperity. They have also been very dominant over different literary forms. These chants have different features and characteristics. Some of them have an overtly religious purpose, others are designed in a way to thank God for all His blessings He bestowed on us. Such chants are frequently common and spread in our society, especially in Sana’a, Hadramout and Tehamah. These
In this account, I will shed light on one of these well known chanters. He is Mr. Mohammed Nasser Helail. He is considered to be a distinguished figure who has a distinct place in the field of chants art in Tehamah. He is a talented chanter and has a melodious voice. He was born in 1978 in a village called Al-Ebrah, Al-Garahi, Zabeed , Hodiedah governorate.
Mohammed was very much influenced at the beginning of his life by these religious chants in Tehamah. He was a constant listener as well as supporter of these chants. He used to come in contact with different chanters. In course of time, he became part of the classical school that is called Al-Shilalleen pioneered by great figures such as sheikh Yosef Ragab, Omar Afeef and Ahmad Ali Afeefi. Mohammed started his career as a chanter and polished his skill in chant singing. He, then, participated in different sessions as well as night ceremonies that were held at Al-Garahi. He became acquainted with different ingenious as well as talented figures. In course of time he gained the admiration of all who supported and encouraged him till he became very popular.
The year 1990 marked the beginning of a new stage in his life. He became very confident of himself and started singing in different wedding ceremonies. He devoted his life to the cause of his chosen career. In return, he commanded great popularity and respect of all sections of people. He is, by far, one of the very few who have excelled in this art. Speaking about his popularity he said “I pay much attention to all the chants I sing. I also focus on the chants that are in someway related to the society. As a matter of fact, religious chants used to have a strong presence in our society. However, it is a pity that now they are fast disappearing. I hope that organizations working in this area should do something to preserve these chants from disappearing.”
I also do hope that the Ministry of Information will pay such talented figures the attention they deserve and patronize their talents, enabling them to polish their merits.
Will this happen? let’s hope so.
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