The Committee for Festival Management and Cultural and Heritage Programs in Abu Dhabi previously introduced a television program named "Al Mankous", similar to the programs "Amir Al Shu'ara" (Prince of Poets) and "Shi'ir Al Million" (Million's Poet). As part of a poetic competition, various poets compete over a series of television episodes, reaching up to ten. These episodes are broadcasted on stage at Al Rahah Beach in Abu Dhabi and aired live on the Emirates and Baynounah TV channels.

The program or competition includes rules, conditions, interviews, tests, behind-the-scenes content, pre-recorded episodes that air before the live ones, and more. It's backed by dedicated individuals, visions, expertise, cultural heritage, financial support, and the drive that fuels "Al Mankous" to ensure its longevity, much like its predecessors, which continue to succeed greatly.

What is Al Mankous?

Al Mankous is a traditional Emirati and Gulf art form for singing Nabati poetry. As Issa Saif Al Mazrouei, the Deputy Chairman of the aforementioned committee, points out, it relies significantly on the performer's voice. It can be performed solo by the poem's author or by someone with a beautiful voice who is adept at performing various Al Mankous melodies. It can also be performed as a duet or accompanied by the Rababa instrument. Al Mankous has multiple melodies and is typically performed in social and national events from the afternoon to midnight.

Furthermore, Al Mankous is a poetic meter that captivates its listeners through its unique rhythmic pattern, distinguishing it from other poetic meters. The term's origin is attributed to its singing style, where the singer starts in a high tone and gradually decreases during the first part of the poetic verse, reaching its peak at the end, before descending gradually in the second half.

It's also said that the name is derived from the flight pattern of a bird called "Umm Salem". As it ascends, its song becomes louder, only to decrease as it descends. Additionally, Al Mankous is also referred to as "Tariq" or the Al Mankous melody because the performer's voice taps into the listeners' ears during the performance.

Thus, we're facing a Gulf heritage art that was relatively obscure until the television program "Al Mankous" brought it back to the forefront, revitalizing it before it could be forgotten. Through it, its glory is recaptured, and soon its artists will dominate the Gulf and Arab art scene.

This assertion comes after continuously following programs like "Amir Al Shu'ara" and "Shi'ir Al Million", which mark a transformative phase in Arabic poetic programs. Many young poets, writing in formal Arabic or colloquial dialects, especially Nabati, dream of appearing on the Al Rahah Beach stage in Abu Dhabi. They become the talk of forums, sessions, and cultural gatherings, not to mention the valuable cash prizes awarded to the winners of these programs.

Considering this, I suggest that the Committee for Festival Management and Cultural and Heritage Programs in Abu Dhabi, led by Major General Pilot Fares Khalaf Al Mazrouei, contemplates a similar program for classical Arabic sung poems. This art form is now desperately in need of support.

This suggestion arises from noticing the decline of the sung poem, once uplifted by iconic figures like Umm Kulthum and Mohammed Abdel Wahab through timeless pieces. Additionally, singers like Abdul Halim Hafez, Fairuz, Farid Al Atrash, and many others have contributed immensely to this art form. But today, the voice of classical sung poetry is waning, overshadowed by contemporary popular music that often lacks depth.

To rejuvenate this neglected genre, we need the backing of a body that has a holistic Arabic cultural vision. The Committee in Abu Dhabi, with its dedicated personnel and the unwavering support of the country's leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, could play a significant role in this endeavor. Together, let's contemplate a new program or competition to encourage young Arabic voices to revive classical Arabic sung poetry, benefitting from the experiences of past and present generations.

Moreover, the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Award for Sung Poem, organized by the Arabic Poetry Academy at Taif University in Saudi Arabia, stands as an essential initiative in reinforcing sung classical poetry. This award goes to an entity that produces a musical piece based on a poem by a contemporary or ancient Arab poet and represents a qualitative addition to the art field.