25 Must-Know Tarab Songs
Tarab is a special rich word for the enchanting Egyptian music that often is described as classic Egyptian songs, or Tarab songs. As belly dancers, we often dance to these songs. We almost always can recognize them by melodies, but unfortunately dancers not always can name them, or tell the meaning of the lyrics.
That’s why I’ve decided to share with you my list of 25 must-know Tarab songs for belly dancers. Search them on iTunes, Spotify or YouTube to double check your knowledge, or to discover new compositions if you have encountered unknown titles in this list. Also, I highly recommend an amazing resource put together by Shira where you can find translations of pretty much any famous song: www.shira.net
And remember: there is no shame in not knowing something as long as you are willing to study and grow.
So here is the list:
Fi Youm W Layla - by Warda
Esmaouni - by Warda
El Eih Besalouni - by Warda
Wana Mali - by Warda
Batwannes Beek - by Warda
Seiret Elhub - by Oum Kulthoum
Baed Annak - by Oum Kulthoum
Enta Omri - by Oum Kulthoum
Fakarouni - by Oum Kulthoum
Lissa Fakir - by Oum Kulthoum
Leilet Hob - by Oum Kulthoum
Ana Fi Insta Zarak - by Oum Kulthoum
Ghanili Shwaya, Shwaya - by Oum Kulthoum
Daret Al Ayam - by Oum Kulthoum
Hazihi Lailati - by Oum Kulthoum
Learn this choreography at the Iana Dance Club
Choreography by Mercedes Nieto.
16. Mawoud – by Abdel Haleem Hafez
17. Sawah - by Abdel Halim Hafez
18. Ahwak - by Abdel Halim Hafez
19. El Toba - by Abdel Halim Hafez
20. Ana Koulli Magul El Toba - by Abdel Halim Hafez
21. Bahlam Beek - by Abdel Halim Hafez
22. Gabar - by Abdel Halim Hafez
23. Ana Bastanak - by Nagat Esaghira
24. Bafakar Filli Nasini - by Mohamed Abdel Wahab
25. Ya Msafer Wahdak - by Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Learn this choreography at the Iana Dance Club
By the way, check out a very special intensive inside the Iana Dance Club on the art of dancing to Tarab songs. By the end of this intensive you will have a ready-to-perform choreography to the famous classical song Tab Wana Maly, by Warda, but not only that! We will also:
give special attention to the nuances of the interpretation of the lyrics,
discuss the meaning of tarab, and differences of dancing to classical Arab songs (compared to mejance or popsong),
work on your facial expression,
experiment with your makeup skills, and
develop skills of self-coaching and polishing presentations which you can apply to any future dance routines.
Find out more HERE.
I hope it was useful! Let me know which of these songs are you favorite to dance to
If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to like and share it! :)
Author and model: Iana Komarnytska
Photographer: Pedro Bonatto
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About Iana
Iana Komarnytska is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and passionate content creator helping dancers navigate their dance lives.
She is a graduate from the professional dance program at York University (Canada), host of the Belly Dance Life podcast, creator of the Iana Dance Club, author of numerous articles, and winner of Star Bellydancer Canada 2014 among other international competitions.
Along with belly dance, Iana performs and teaches Persian Classical and Turkish Romani dancing. She is the first choreographer to start using Triple Isis wings, and since 2012 this is one of her style signatures.
Although we are talking about improvising to a drum solo, there are still certain rules and structures that both dancer and drummer are following during the performance.