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Marun Al Naqqash
Marun Al Naqqash (Arabic: مارون النقاش) (1855–1817) was a Sidon-born Maronite merchant who produced the first theatre play texts in Arabic language. Early life and educationAl Naqqash was born in Sidon on 9 February 1817 into a Maronite family.[1] In 1825 his family moved to Beirut where he studied Arabic language, literature in addition to law and foreign languages, including French, Italian and Turkish.[1][2] He also involved in poetry, Oriental music and was educated as a bookkeeper.[1] Career and activitiesFollowing the completion of his studies Al Naqqash began to work as a chief clerk at the customs department and became a member of the chamber of commerce in Beirut.[1] He traveled to Damascus, Aleppo and Egypt for business.[2][3] In 1846 he went to Italy where he was introduced to Italian theatre and opera.[2] After he returned to Lebanon he translated The Miser, a play by Molière, into Arabic and published it with the title Al-bakhīl in 1847 which was the first Arabic play text.[2][3] Al-bakhīl was written in the standard Arabic[4] and in verse rather than in prose which made it ready for musical performance.[1] It was staged in 1847.[5] The Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid was praised in the play.[6] Al Naqqash also established a theatre near to his Beirut home after granting a permission from the Ottomans where Al-bakhīl was performed in 1847.[3] Then he produced two original plays. The first one was Abu Al Hasan al-Mughaffal aw Harun Al Rashid (Arabic: Abu Al Hasan the Gullible or the Caliph Harun Al Rashid) which was an adaptation of the One Thousand and One Nights and was performed at his theatre in 1850.[1][5] His last play was entitled Al Salit al-Hasud (Arabic: The Impudent and Jealous Young Man) which was staged in 1852.[5] The content of Al Naqqash's plays was patriotic and loyal to the Ottoman Empire.[5] Al Naqaash also wrote political poems in which he praised the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid and the Egyptian governor.[5] Personal life and deathHis nephew, Salim Al Naqqash, also involved in theatre and formed a theatrical troupe.[3] Al Naqqash went to Tarsus on 19 September 1854 for business where he died of fever on 1 June 1855 at age 38.[1] References
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