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The controversy Surrounding “Ana Klebtak” and the Rift Between Youssef Chahine and Kamal el-Taweel
The song “Ana Klebtak” (I Belong to You), performed by Algerian singer Rachid Taha, sparked a significant controversy in the Egyptian artistic community in the 1990s, leading to a public dispute between renowned filmmaker Youssef Chahine and composer Kamal El-Taweel. The core of the conflict revolved around accusations of plagiarism, with El-Taweel claiming Taha’s song heavily borrowed from his composition for a song originally sung by Farid el Atrache.
The Origins of the Dispute: El-Taweel’s Claim
Kamal El-Taweel asserted that Rachid Taha’s “Ana Klebtak” was strikingly similar to a musical piece he composed for Farid El Atrache in the 1970s. Specifically, he pointed to the song “Al Houb Kolou” (All Love) as the source material. El-Taweel argued that Taha had essentially copied the melody and harmonic structure without proper attribution or permission.