Today, Tuesday, is the 104th anniversary of the birth of the multi-talented Egyptian poet Abdel-Rahman El-Khamisy, who was born on this day on November 13, 1920 in the city of Port Said. He excelled in all branches of art, excelling in poetry, story writing, theatre, acting, journalism, and radio writing. Film directing, Arabizing operettas, and even composing music and songs in writing and composing, and he also worked as a broadcaster.
Al-Khamisi began writing poetry at a young age, and he used to send his poems to major literary magazines in that field. Time is like message and culture. Then he decided to move to Cairo in 1936, and circumstances forced him to work in several jobs as a seller in a grocery store, a proofreader in a printing press, and a teacher in a private school. He also worked with the “Ahmed Al-Mesiri” band. Popular play. Then he moved to the world of journalism by joining Al-Masry newspaper.
Al-Khamisi wrote short story collections before the July 1952 revolution, and he presented the ambitions of Egyptian society, especially the poor classes. When the revolution came, Al-Masry newspaper was closed. He was arrested and remained in prison from June 1953 until mid-December 1956 due to his position calling for clinging to democratic party life.
After his release, he joined Al-Jumhuriya newspaper, but was later transferred to the Ministry of Supply. On March 21, 1958, he founded a theatrical troupe in his name, wrote and directed its works, acted in them, toured the governorates, and gave its first performance at the July 26 Theater. It consisted of three plays written and directed by him: “The Pill is a Dome,” and “The Last Installment.” and “Life and Life.” After that, the troupe presented several other plays, including “Psychological Complex.” “Ezbet Benayouti”, written by Mahmoud Al-Saadani, in which Al-Khamisi played a role that revealed his talent as a skilled actor. Then the troupe stopped due to financial difficulties. Al-Khamisi shined as a poet and wrote several collections of poetry, including: “Human Longing,” “Tears and Fire,” and “Diwan Al-Khamisi.” In 1967, the “Diwan of Love” In 1969, “Egypt Love and Revolution” In 1980.
He also wrote several series for radio that met with particular success, the most famous of which was “Hassan and Naima.” Which was turned into a movie and critics considered it “the story of Romeo and Juliet.” This film is considered one of the most important films in the history of Egyptian cinema. Al-Khamisi also excelled in the field of cinema, as he presented four films whose stories and scenarios he co-wrote, and he wrote the soundtracks for some of them, including: “The Penalty” film; In 1965, he participated in writing the story and scenario, and composed its soundtrack.
He also participated in writing and composing the film "Respectable Families" In 1968, and the movie “Violet Rose” In 1972. One of his most important contributions to cinema was his discovery of the great actress Souad Hosni in the movie “Hassan and Naima.” He also left a special impact with his role in Youssef Chahine’s movie “The Earth.” Al-Khamisi presented a new experience in the Arabization of operettas, which was the first of its kind in the history of musical theatre, especially the operetta “The Merry Widow,” and he composed many Egyptian operettas.
Despite his interest in multiple forms of art Al-Khamisi did not abandon his journalistic and literary role in the field of stories and poetry, and paved the way for great talents such as Youssef Idris. Upon his return to Al-Jumhuriya newspaper, the first thing he published was a series of articles, but the rest of them were banned from being published. After that, he emigrated from Egypt on a long journey from Beirut to Baghdad, then Libya and from there to Rome, then Paris, then Moscow, where he spent the remaining years of his life outside Egypt, until his death on April 1, 1987 in Moscow, and his body was transported to be buried in Mansoura according to his will.
