Biographies: Taheyya Kariokka - Actor

Biographies

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An Egyptian actress and dancer, born in the city of Ismailia in 1915. She practiced dancing and acting since she was young. She first worked with the dancer Mahasin Mohamed, who discovered her talent, then joined the Badia Masabni troupe. In the mid-50s, Carioca left dancing in order to devote herself to acting, despite her unique style of dance that set its rules and carried her mark. She starred in a large number of prominent films in the history of Egyptian cinema, including: The Lady's Puppet, A Woman's Youth, Mother of the Bride and Farewell Bonaparte. She also worked in the theater with the artist Ismail Yassin, and established a theater group with the artist Fayez Halawa. She died in 1999 at Nasser Medical Institute at the age of 80 after suffering a severe respiratory crisis.

Taheyya Carioca was born Badaweyya Muhammad Kareem ‘Aly al-Sayyed in Isma’eeleyya – Suez Canal. In her teenage years, she had overbearing brothers and she ran away to Cairo. She lived with an old neighbor from Isma’eeleyya, Sou’aad Mahaassen who owned a nightclub. Taheyya took dance lessons at the “Ivanova Dancing School”. Sou’aad would not subject young Taheyya to the environment in her nightclub and refused to allow her to perform. Taheyya was soon introduced to Badee’a Massabny who owned a famous western styled cabaret in Cairo. Bad’eea hired Taheyya to perform in a dance troupe with the stage name “Taheyya Mohamed”. She quickly rose in the ranks, becoming very popular with the patrons and earned solo spots in the show. Taheyya excelled at a Brazilian dance (made famous by Carmen Miranda, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) called the “Carioca” and was renamed: “Taheyya Carioca”. She incorporated the Latin footwork and beats into her performances. She then moved onto to star in many films during the “Golden Age” of Egypt. Taheyya not only had the great talent of dancing, but also could act and sing as well. The first film in which she starred as an actress was opposite Nagueeb al-Reehaany in “Le’bet al-sett i.e. Woman’s play (1946)”. Her most famous film is “Shabaab emra’a i.e. A woman’s youth” in which she played an older woman who seduced a college student. She went on to star in over 200 films, theater plays and soap operas. In 1936, she danced in the procession for King Farouk’s wedding. He was 16 at the time and had just been crowned king after the death of his father. She performed to music sung by the great Om Kolthoum, who was a great admirer of Taheyya. Om Kalthoum once said that Taheyya Carioca is an “artist who can sing with her body”. She was known for her play on words, gestures and ironic flirting during her performances. By the age of 31, she had achieved the status of legend in the Egyptian dance world. There was a well-known rivalry between her and Samia Gamaal, who also danced in Massabny’s nightclub. Taheyya followed in the footsteps of her father (who married 7 times) and married 13 times. She was even married to an American, many famous Egyptian actors, directors and singers. Never bearing children of her own, she had great love for the children of her siblings. She also played a role as activist off the big screen. In 1953, she was placed in prison for 3 months when she voiced her support for a post-revolution return to constitutional democracy. Taheyya Carioca died on September 20, 1999 of a heart attack at age 84.

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