A Woman's Music in a Man's World


Salima Pasha Murad (1900-1974) is the first Iraqi musician I had ever encountered. She was famous throughout the Arab world in the middle to late 1900s; an impressive feat for a woman of that region and time period. Although Iraq was one of the most progressive -- in terms of gender roles and fairness -- Middle Eastern countries, it was nonetheless quite an accomplishment for a woman to receive such admiration. Additionally, the fact that her stardom reached out across neighboring, less progressive countries is even more impressive. Additionally, her Jewish faith could have held her back from achieving such spectacular recognition, especially during the Holocaust. Surprisingly, her music was not as popular in the Israeli world, but reached much of the Jewish population in Iraq.

After listening to a few of her songs, I am not surprised by the fame she achieved during her lifetime. Her music is uniquely expressive, even without comprehending the lyrics she sings. Of the songs I heard, the rhythms were upbeat and cheery, keeping the listener engaged throughout. The orchestral instruments beautifully accompany the percussion in every song I heard, making my foot tap and my head nod. Salima Pasha’s voice harmonizes with the instruments at some points, and breaks off at others. The harmonies elicit tremors and goosebumps in the listener as Pasha’s voice quivers with the strings of the violins. When her voice breaks away from the instruments, it is so expressive so as to diminish any need for background harmony.

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