Mahmoud Reda

Song: El Tesht Aally Ya Helwa
Choreography: Mahmoud Reda

Born on 18 March 1930 in Cairo, Egypt, Mahmoud Reda is a pioneer of dance theatre in Egypt. Soloist, choreographer and director of hundreds of productions, Mahmoud Reda has toured in more than 60 countries, performing on the world's most prestigious stages. He has also been principal actor, dancer and choreographer in popular Egyptian films. Mahmoud Reda has been universally acclaimed for his dance with the strength of and appeal of a Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire.

In 1959 he founded the first folk dance company, The Reda Band, which consisted only of 15 members , all dancers. Today,it has more than 150 talented members including dancers , musicians and technicians . The band has presented more than 300 shows including dances and folkloric songs , ballads , with different rhythm and different features creating an atmosphere of entertainment and happiness . The band also participated in two musical movies : " Mid year vacation " and " Love in Elkarnak". Reda Band is endorsed by the Egyptian Government "as a band capable of representing the Egyptian Folklore both in music and dances." The group traveled throughout Egypt collecting folk dances, and then toured the world, promoting those dances as fine art, worthy of respect.

As a soloist, choreographer and director, Mahmoud Reda made four world tours to 58 countries with his troupe. He performed on the world's most prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall (NY, USA), Albert Hall (London, UK), Congress Hall (Berlin, Germany), Stanislavsky & Gorky Theaters (Moscow, USSR), Olympia (Paris, France) and the United Nations (NY & Geneva). The Reda Troupe has performed for many world leaders and Heads of states. Mr. Reda received Egypt's Order of Arts and Science in 1967, The Star of Jordan in 1965 and the Order of Tunisia in 1973. In 1999, he was honored by the International Dance Committee/Unesco and by the International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance in May 2001.

Mahmoud Reda draws from techniques of jazz, ballet, Hindu dance and folkloric dance from the USSR. His work has shaped and influenced what is known today as Oriental Dance (Raks Sharki). Many former troupe members include master teachers Raqia Hassan, Momo Kadous, Mo Geddawi and Yosry Sherif.

This spring, the world famous Mahmoud Reda Troupe and the National Folkloric Troupe joined forces to produce a full two hour extravaganza of one of Egypt's strongest national assets: its folkloric dances at Balloon Theater in Agouza, Egypt. Mahmoud continues to teach through tours where he instructs in the famous "Reda" technique. In July, He will be teaching a 2-days dance workshop in the San Francisco bay area, followed by workshops in Texas, Ohio and North Carolina.

Other Reda Accomplishments
A participant in the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952, Mahmoud Reda represented Egypt in gymnastics after winning a gold medal in free exercise at the Arab Countries Championships Alexandria in 1950. Mahmoud Reda holds a degree in commerce from the University of Cairo. From 1982 to 1990 he was Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Culture. His publications include "In the Temple of Dance" National Band for Egyptian Folkloric Arts

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• middle
• east
• arabic
• egypt
• belly
• dance
• tabla
• oriental
• folkloric
• raqs
• sharqi
• danse
• orientale
• danza
• del
• vientre

[ayanam87]

it's awsome, what kind of dance is it? fellahi, nubian? i am confused

[maja1785]

@ayanam87 I think it's maybe nubian, but I'm really not sure..I would appreciate if someone know more to write

[claucieni]

Thanks Maja!! God bless you for sharing!

[maja1785]

@claucieni

Blessings to you also! I love all your videos of Reda dancers also a lot!!!This dancers are really amaaazing.

[bellydancerleana]

Sometimes it is difficult to see because Reda style is not typicall folkloric but an interpretated way of dancing. Because of the dresses I would say baladi? I can't see simmelirities of this dance/music and nubic of fellahin style.. but who knows! Great choreo anyway!

[MrFernandoenrique]

They are seen as sweet,... I love this!! :)