Naji Honored [Archives:1998/46/Culture]

By Ahlam Al-Mutawakil,
Yemen Times
Mohammed Murshid Naji is a colossal figure on the Yemeni cultural scene. As a singer, Naji, 69, has not not contributed to art, but also to Yemen’s patriotic struggle. Starting his singing and musical career in the early 1950s, he played a significant role in preserving the country’s artistic heritage.
In addition to being a popular performer, Naji is also a researcher and chronicler of Yemeni folklore. “Famous Yemeni Singers,” published in 1995, is regarded as a definitive reference by students of Yemeni folklore. He also intends to publish his memoirs on art and politics in two parts soon.
On November 10, Al-Afif Cultural Foundation held a special event to pay a tribute to Mohammed Murshid Naji. He talked to Yemen Times about his life and art.
“Yemeni singing in the early 1950, especially in Aden, was going through a phase of modernization,” he said. “It was never isolated from political movements and trends in the Aden of that period. The style of patriotic songs was mainly influenced by the political movement which adopted it.”
He went on to indicate that Yemeni songs flourished through strong competition between singers such as himself and the late Ahmed Qassem. “It was a fair competition to win the hearts of Yemeni audiences,” explains Naji, “with the public left to be the final judge.”
“In the days before TV, public concerts and performances were very important for the launch and popularity of a singer. It is still necessary for the Ministry of Culture, say, to occasionally organize public concerts to give more opportunity to budding artists, who haven’t the chance to perform on radio or TV.”
Naji often praises Yemeni singers for their abilities, vocal and musical. “Unfortunately Yemeni talents are not fully recognized due to our country’s lack of good musical ensembles and a proper recording studio,” he declared. “We need musicians who play by reading musical notes, not just replaying what they hear. This is quite important for preserving our musical folklore,” Naji advised. “Since there is little academic information on Yemeni songs, more research and documentation are needed.”
He also called for more official support for young artists “so as to able to replace the old singers who pass away.”
He calls for the Yemeni song to be present in Arab and international musical events and festivals. “Only in this way can our rich musical heritage become well known in the rest of the world.
Ali Ahmed Al-Khidhr, a well-known singer and diplomat, said about Naji: “He has made a great contribution to Yemeni song and music. Performing Sanaani songs in unique styles is his trade mark. He is an accomplished singer, a talented composer, a fine poet, an outspoken intellectual and a successful politician. Naji and other artists were the lifeline connecting the south and north.
“Naji was the first to publish a book on folk poetry in 1959. His poems, set to music, were performed by several Yemeni singers.”
The artist and researcher, Jabir Ali Ahmed said: “Naji is a pioneer of the Yemeni song. He put a special methodology for modernizing it. Thus he was able to produce unique artistic creations, guided by his overwhelming sense of patriotism.”   

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