Atrash, Farid al- (1915-1974): Syrian composer, singer and actor. Born near Swaida of the famous Atrash family of Southern Syria. In mid 1920s he moved to Cairo, Egypt with his mother, brother and sister, Asmahan. During his late school years, Farid was much more interested in music and singing. He later had the chance to know some famous Arabic composers like Riyad al-Sonbati and Farid Ghosn. He soon published his first self-composed songs which included "Ya Zahratan Fi Khayali" and "Ya Raitni Tayr". Farid also entered the world of cinema, he was the star of many Egyptian movies like "Intisar al-Shabab", "Gharam wa Intiqam" and "Lahn al-Kholoud". Farid died in Beirut, Lebanon in 1974.
