Muhammad Mahmoud Sha'ban ( Baba Sharo )
Egypt, People, 1/10/2002

Born on September 21,1912 in Al-Raml quarter in Alexandria, Muhammad Mahmoud Sha'ban graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Cairo University in 1939. Sha'ban studied under the doyen of Arabic literature Dr. Taha Hussein in the Department of Latino-Greek Studies. On Hussein's recommendations, Sha'ban worked in the Egyptian Radio immediately after graduation as a news reader.

Over the period 1940-1960 Sha'ban's voice has been associated with the thrilling children's program "Children Talk".

Baba Sharo's involvement in children programs came just by mere chance when he substituted for an absent broadcaster. Sha'ban presented the program, creatively using music and sound effects while telling the story, to the great satisfaction and admiration of critics and listeners, children in particular. As nothing succeeds like success, Sha'ban's program continued for 20 years.

Baba Sharo set the trend of introducing operettas in the Radio such as "The virgin of the Spring", "The Brunet Shepherd", "Dandurmah" or (Ice-cream), "The Birthday of King Abul-Fassad", and "King Soliman's Treasures". These operettas included living images and were imaginatively written.


He transformed the tales of "One Thousand and One Nights" to a broadcast drama, directing more than 900 episodes together with the great Taher Abu Fasha. He also presented a dramatic work titled "The Songs of Al-Asfahanny" based on one of the masterpieces of Arabic literature bearing same title which continued for 5 years.

In 1948, Sha'ban was appointed head of thematic programs. Four years later he became director of music programs. In 1971, he was appointed head of the Egyptian Radio.

On November 23, 1950 he got married to the eminent Radio figure Safia Al-Mohandes.

When he retired from Radio, he was appointed consultant to the Minister of Information for two years. Then he taught in one of the Arab Universities.

Muhammad Mahmoud Sha'ban, or Baba (father) Sharo died on January 10, 1999 at the age of 86.

Awards

- 1954 Medal of Merit - 1976 Medal of the Republic - A number of awards and prizes in acknowledgment of his pioneering role in the cultural life by the Catholic Center (1980), the Academy of Arts, the Arab Center of Documentary and Short Films, the Egyptian Radio on the occasion of its golden Jubilee (1984), and the National Council for Children's Culture. He was chosen Honorary Head of the 1st Cairo Festival for Radio and TV and Head of the 2nd as well.

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