Amal Allam gives unique spin to Tunisian dance, song

2009-09-23

A childhood steeped in Tunisia's rich cultural heritage, particularly its music, set vocalist and dancer Amal Allam on the course to stardom.

Interview by Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis – 23/09/09

[Jamel Arfaoui] Amal Allam gave a two-hour concert this summer, mixing dance, comedy and songs drawn from Tunisia’s cultural heritage.

Tunisian musician Amal Allam was brought up in an atmosphere rich in music and Tunisian culture. That experience had a strong impact on her life choices, as is particularly clear in her latest artistic venture.

Allam had a unique experience this past summer, which gave popular music an artistic value that it has been missing in recent years. She delivered a 120-minute performance that blended folkloric dancing with original interpretations of songs in the Tunisian dialect. The performance also included short comedy numbers. Allam spoke to Magharebia about that experience and the future of popular music.

Magharebia: Who is Amal Allam?

Amal Allam: I was born and raised in the Kasserine governorate, next to the Algerian border. I was brought up in an environment that was home to the time-honoured artistic heritage. My singing debut took place in private family parties, where I would sing to the tunes of the nay (pipe) and win the admiration of all my listeners. When I moved to the capital to study, I had an opportunity to join the conservatory to focus my studies on folk music.

Magharebia: Is it true that your experience in Libya was your gateway to stardom?

Allam: Possibly. I happened to move to Libya for work, where I realized that the Libyan heritage was equally important as the Tunisian. So, I formed a folk music group there, and called it Al Naj'. I sang at numerous public concerts and private parties. I also recorded my first album which comprised timeless popular classics. Hence, my kick-off with the audience was quite notable.

Magharebia: How did your family react to you getting into the field of folk music and dancing simultaneously?

Allam: It was tough at the start. My family was against it. However, my mother stood by me, and motivated me to pursue my dream. She had confidence in me and in my power to make my way in a male-dominated field. That caused me to be keen on changing the way people think of that genre of art as lowly and tasteless. It is true that some folk musicians give concerts that end in bloody confrontations and rows. However, I managed to force the audience to respect me by respecting them. I offered them quality music worthy of their respect, without provoking their feelings.

Magharebia: Who influenced you and led you to choose folk music?

Amal Allam: Actually, I was not much influenced by any musician in Tunisia. However, I am a fan of the Algerian folk artist Fella Ababsa. She is a self-made artist with an outstanding presence. She also adores her art. She has exceptional vocals that cannot go unnoticed, especially by true lovers of folk music.

Magharebia: What is the present and future of folk music?

Amal Allam: Folk music is lost, especially in the absence of creativity and good lyrics. Most folk musicians are stuck right where they are, re-singing old songs passed down to us by our forefathers, though folk audiences are thirsty for something new. Nonetheless, I would not hesitate to say that folk music will never be crushed by the artistic waves from both the East and the West. It will continue to stand firm and its fans will continue to grow by the day, from among the various social classes. Most of the people, who criticise folk music as tasteless, secretly enjoy it in private.

Magharebia: You produce most of your own songs. What topics do you discuss?

Amal Allam: I sing about pain and social issues, such as violence between husbands and wives, as well as the risks of clandestine immigration that attracts youth, along with love songs, of course. It should be noted that I do not listen to folk music in private so I can focus and find new lyrics. Therefore, I prefer to listen to jazz grand legends such as Louis Armstrong and James Brown, as well as Yanni and classical symphonies.