El Tholathy El Mareh

El Tholathy El Mareh

Industry	Music
Founded	1950s
Headquarters	Cairo , Egypt
Products	Music performances, songs

El Tholathy El Mareh () stands as a distinguished Egyptian musical ensemble originating in the 1950s, celebrated for its socially impactful songs that resonated with a wide range of listeners.

History and formation

Al-Thulathi Al-Marah pioneered a unique vocal approach that gained widespread acceptance, with many of their tracks remaining well-loved to this day.

Their musical selections were tailored to suit significant Egyptian cultural festivities, including weddings, birthdays, and Ramadan events.

Their recognition expanded notably through their partnership with the Reda Show Troupe.

They worked alongside some of the most influential poets and composers of their time, such as Salah Jahin, Morsi Gamil Aziz, Saleh Goudat, Abdel Fattah Mustafa, Ali Ismail, Sayed Makkawi, Mohamed El Mougy, Helmy Bakr, Abdel Azim Mohamed, Helmy Amin, Munir Murad, Ahmed Sedky, Abdel Azim Abdel Haq, and Mohamed Abdel Wahab. A highlight of their career includes performing in Mohamed Abdel Wahab’s musical production "The Mamluks."

Band members

The group was composed of:

• Wafaa Mohamed Mustafa
• Safaa Youssef Lotfy
• Sanaa El Barouni, who is the sister of Sohair El Barouni

All three graduated from the Institute of Arabic Music.

History

Their initial exposure came through amateur programs on Egyptian Radio aimed at highlighting emerging talents. At first, Sanaa and Safaa performed as a duo at their Music Institute, but after Wafaa joined, they formed a trio known for a unique vocal style. The composer Ali Ismail discovered them, gave them the name The Merry Trio, and was responsible for composing much of their material.

They gained recognition for generating lively and positive atmospheres during performances, particularly on Ramadan radio broadcasts, which were often attended by President Gamal Abdel Nasser.

A significant professional achievement was obtaining an official singing license from the radio committee under the name The Merry Trio, marking the introduction of their distinctive vocal approach to national radio audiences.

Brilliance

Unlike many Egyptian singing trios that failed early by imitating their style, the Merry Trio maintained prominence and achieved enduring success. Although they eventually disbanded, their legacy remains as pioneers of this joyful vocal genre with a unique sound and captivating stage presence.

Stopping and retirement

The group chose to retire while still enjoying widespread popularity; this decision was driven by personal reasons rather than internal disputes. Wafaa shifted her focus to teaching and later worked abroad, Sanaa married director Hassan Al Imam and prioritized family life, and Safaa wed director Sami Abu Al Nour. Despite stepping away from performing, their close friendship continued.

Works

Their performances spanned universities, weddings, and concerts throughout Arab countries. In Iraq, they sang several songs in the local dialect, including "The Happiest Day" by composer Reda Ali. Reflecting their Libyan roots, they recorded tracks such as "Ya El Enab," "Ya Sagheer Fi Sagheerna," and "Taal Yabouna" in Lebanon. During the early 1970s, they held a private concert in Jordan that was recorded by Jordanian television.

They appeared alongside Abdel Halim Hafez in the film A Day of My Life, performing "Laughter, Play, Seriousness and Love," which brought energy to the film despite not receiving official credit. Additionally, they sang "Television" during the opening of Young for Love, featuring Souad Hosni in the mid-1960s.

At City Lights concerts, their segment consistently garnered enthusiastic applause. Each member received acclaim for her vocal qualities—Wafaa for interpretations of Fairuz's songs, Safaa for those of Asmahan, and Sanaa for Souad Mohamed's—demonstrating their vocal range and appeal.

Songs

The Merry Trio’s repertoire was extensive and varied, encompassing operettas; holiday-themed songs for occasions such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Mother's Day; Egyptian Radio Day celebrations; as well as folk tunes, rural melodies, emotional ballads, morning songs, children’s music, wedding anthems, patriotic pieces, and religious hymns. They also commemorated historical milestones including the Egypt-Syria unity, the July 1952 Revolution anniversary, and the High Dam inauguration. The following list includes 88 prominent Arabic songs from their collection:

Egyptian television has revitalized their classic Ramadan tracks by producing animated versions while retaining the original melodies. This effort has introduced these iconic songs from the 1960s Ramadan season to new generations and reinforced their enduring cultural importance.