Asmahan (real name Amal Al Atrache) (1918-1944) was a famous Syrian singer and actor. Sister of Farid al-Atrash, a famous singer too, and a member of the famous Atrash family known for its role in the resistance against the French mandate in the 1920s. Asmahan lived started her career in Syria and Lebanon, then traveled to Cairo, Egypt where she cooperated with many famous composers like Riyadh al-Sombati and Mohammed al-Qasabji . Her films include 'intisar echabab' and 'garam wentikam'. She was killed at the age of 26 when the car she was riding in crashed into the sea. Many rumors and much controversy, comparable to that of Lady Diana, have surrounded her death.
Asmahan's father died in 1924, when she was only six, and her family then emigrated to Egypt, where the little princess, who had been cherished by her father, was to experience the hardships which befall a family that has fallen upon evil days.
Asmahan knew something about the European way of singing - perhaps she had gained it just by listening - and she probably unconsciously made use of this knowledge when interpreting genuinely authentic Arabic songs.
Asmahan never fell into the trap of interpreting the works of one composer alone, as Faïza Ahmed, and Warda at the beginning of her career, later did.
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