Faraḥ, Khalīl, -1932

Khalil Farah (1894 – 13 June 1932) was a Sudanese singer, composer and poet, who wrote his lyrics both in Sudanese colloquial as well as in Modern Standard Arabic. He is considered as one of the most prominent pioneers of the early 20th century renewal in singing and poetry in Sudan. Following rising nationalist movements in the 1920s, Farah's patriotic poetry expressed his support for independence and the fight against Anglo-Egyptian rule in Sudan. His songs have become symbols of national pride, freedom and political independence. His song Aazza fī Hawāk (My beloved Azza), expressing love for his country in poetic terms, has been called Sudan's most popular patriotic song.