Abdelkader Bendamèche

Abdelkader Bendamèche Arabic عبد القادر بن دعماش born on September 26 1949 in Mazagran a suburb of Mostaganem Algeria is an Algerian singer researcher musicologist writer and senior civil servant He is recognized as one of the most eminent specialists and guardians of Algerian musical heritage particularly regarding Chaâbi music and Malhoun poetry Abdelkader Bendamèche developed an interest in music at a very young age In 1966 he made his public debut during a radio program hosted by Blaoui El Houari Oran Radio and Television With the help of friends from Mostaganem he formed a music group which gave him the opportunity to perform on the radio again in 1968 That same year he helped found the Nadi El Hilal Et Thaqafi musical association El Hadj Bouzid Benslimane contributed to his training in Andalusian music In 1969 he participated in the first National Festival of Popular Songs in Algiers He then launched a musical career and in 1973 he recorded his first album in the Djed genre An admirer of Hadj El Mahfoud his repertoire includes religious and traditional songs drawn from the poetry of Benkhelouf Ben Msaib Bensahla Bendhebah Lazoughli and Bentobdji He subsequently recorded two LPs and one 45 rpm single His discography comprises over fifty tracks in the popular Chaâbi genre featuring him as either a performer or a singersongwriter Abdelkader Bendamèche also pursued a career in the administration of the Ministry of Culture and Information contributing to numerous newspapers and hosting radio programs He is a prominent figure in Algerian radio and television hosting the show Maya wa Hsin on Radio Algiers Chaîne III every Saturday at 9 pm for many years he has presented extensive bibliographies and personal accounts while also unearthing rare and previously unheard musical excerpts Abdelkader Bendamèche has published numerous works that complement his extensive musicological research into Algerian artists