Log on to Google today and you’ll find a painting of Mehlem Barakat, one of Lebanon’s most famous musicians.
Today’s Doodle celebrates the 76th birthday of Lebanese singer, composer and actor Barakat, widely regarded as one of Lebanon’s most distinguished musicians.
Acclaimed for his unique musical style and extraordinary live performances, Barakat prided himself as one of few musicians to perform primarily in colloquial Lebanese Arabic throughout his iconic career.
Melhem (or Melhim) Barakat was born on this day in 1945 in the Lebanese town of Kfarshima, near the capital of Beirut. His teachers recognized his vocal gift early on when he performed an original composition to a rapt audience at his school. Barakat went on to sing and act in musical theater productions and proved himself as one of the country’s most promising voices.
As Barakat’s career progressed, he started composing original music and developed a signature style that combined classical elements with improvisation. He established a huge fan base across the Arab world and went on to appear in multiple Lebanese films in the 1980s.
His powerful voice reverberated across the globe as he toured internationally from Australia to the United States. In addition, he collaborated with some of the Arab world’s most famous singers and continued to compose music throughout his life.
In 2008, for his contributions to Lebanese entertainment, Barakat received the prestigious lifetime achievement award at Lebanon’s annual Murex d’Or ceremony.
Even after his passing away in 2016, his music has left an unmatched imprint in the industry keeping him a relevant memory in our minds till this day.
Happy birthday, Melhem Barakat!
