-Musician-
Giant of modern Sudanese music, AlKabli is a poet, composer, and folklorist who plays the oud (lute) with deceptive ease and whose deep melodious voice embraces both classical and Arabic styles. Talented in his own right as a lyricist, he has also set classical poetry to music and delved into the treasury of folk songs of North, East and Central Sudan, fascinated by the diversity of rhythm and melody to be found in Africa’s largest country. In the 35 years since his first concert appearance – when he sang the “Song for Asia and Africa” at the National Theatre in Omdurman in honor of President Nasser of Egypt – Al Kabli has become a walking encyclopedia of his country’s musical heritage. AlKabli’s songs contain a diversity of topics and scenes including love, passion, revolution, nationalism and Sudanese folklore. Some of his songs are old Arabic poems that can be comprehended by Arabic linguists.
Others are in old Sudanese Arabic dialect that might require deep knowledge of the language and customs. Some of his songs include “Ya Bint Ashreen” (O that Girl in her twenties), “Sukar Sukar” (Sugar Sugar), “Asia wa Africa” (Asia and Africa), “Noama”, “Cleopatra”, “Limaza” (Why?), and “Merowi”. On May 12, 2002 AlKabli was awarded an honorary doctorate in literature from Nyala University in Nyala, Sudan. In addition, he won Gold Award at the hands of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. On October 7, 2004, he was awarded the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for Obsetric Fistula in Sudan for his advocacy for women health, gender equality and human rights. In January 2008, he was awarded the second honorary doctorate in music and arts from Sudan University.