The Bendaly Family is the symbol of a genuine Lebanese family.
How can I write about greatness like theirs…? It is an honor for my humble experience to attempt words that will never match the magnitude of their achievements. My words may fall short, for I could never do justice to these creators. The land that gave birth to the alphabet stands proud of this phenomenon, which rivaled the wonders of the 20th century. It astonished minds and made emotions kneel before a heavenly blessing that shone upon the Family, turning them into a living legend. Blessings poured upon the parents from the moment they understood that what God has united, no man can divide. The pure-hearted Edward and Naema embraced these blessings and were entrusted with the secret of all secrets. God granted them twelve children’s boys and girls as if to remind them of the twelve Disciples of Christ. The sign was revealed, and the message was clear: to spread love and peace. They were gifted with the power of languages, speaking many fluently. Edward, Naema, and their children Micheline, Dora, Rene, Yola, Fadia, Nadia, Roger, Norma, Randa, Hania, and Fadi carried their blessings and emerged in the early 1970s, from Lebanon to the world, through the noblest of means: music. Music alone could fulfill their destiny and purify souls. The small buds blossomed into stars in the sky of fine art. They became Lebanon’s symbol of love in times of glory, and its symbol of peace in times of war. Their voices eased the pain of conflict and stopped the bleeding of despair. They were the living conscience of the nation and the beating heart of the emigrants. They traveled the world, performing on grand stages, never tempted by medals or awards. They did not seek worldly glory they praised God through their songs. Their philosophy lay in simplicity, their greatness in humility. They were pioneers of modern lyrics and music, turning song into an international language long before the world recognized it as such. They carry, and continue to carry, the torch of culture from generation to generation. The Bendaly Family is the symbol of a proud, coherent Lebanese family honored in the minds of admirers, and everlasting in the book of Fine Art. After a third of a century of creativity, we hope the Ministry of Culture will honor their history in a museum, where tourists and art lovers can witness their valuable musical and literary achievements. For they are rare if not one of a kind in the world. Rest in peace to those who have left us from this blessed family. And God protect those still among us. We hope future generations of this family will preserve the legacy of this unique phenomenon.
No matter how much the media has published about the Bendaly Family, and no matter how many words have been written, none can truly do justice to their achievements.
The Bendaly Family is a constellation of talent, with each member radiating integrity and endless creativity. Founded by the late artist Edward Bendaly and the late Naema Bittar may they rest in peace this family was born of love and raised in art. From birth, their children were nurtured with a passion for music, growing into shining stars in the world of song. Three boys and nine girls each one a miracle, a phenomenon in the realm of art. I speak from experience, not flattery. I worked with the BENDALYS from their earliest beginnings, composing countless songs and musicals for them, including Camera 77 and the play Fest. These works became their gateway to the Arab world, launching a tour that spanned several months. Dora Bendaly was the bright light of the family, dazzling on stage with her distinctive voice, joined by Micheline and the rest of the family band. They returned from their tour as proud and strong as the Lebanese Cedars, bringing glory to Tripoli, the Northern capital. The Bendaly Family is and will remain a symbol of Tripoli and a shining star that will never fade.
Evoking the Bendaly Family is like summoning the beauty of the past, the brilliance of the present, and the promise of the future. Through their artistic creativity, they inspired an entire generation with a sunrise of smiles, a love for life, and a sunset filled with dreams and possibilities. Founded by the late Edward Bendaly, whose vision and devotion to his art elevated the Lebanese music industry to new heights, the Bendaly Family carved out a unique path. Edward’s style became a genre of its own, even in an era dominated by the Rahbani school and the great Arab singers. The Bendaly Family is the true essence of this nation an irreplaceable string on the lute of Lebanon.
One summer night in 1973, between 8:30 and 9:00 PM, Lebanese viewers tuned into Tele Liban. On the black-and-white screen still glowing with vanished magic an unprecedented scene appeared: a group of young boys and girls, the eldest in their early twenties, the youngest barely nine, all members of one family. Singing, dancing, composing, and performing, they introduced themselves as “The Bendaly Family.” Their success was immediate and immense. Newspapers and magazines rushed to their home in Tripoli, eager to interview the twelve siblings who had become a “unique phenomenon” in the Arab world. Many prominent journalists predicted they would achieve international fame. In February 1975, the Bendaly Family performed professionally for the first time on the Clemenceau stage in Beirut (now Al-Medina Theater), captivating audiences for three continuous months. But the outbreak of civil war later that year forced them to return to Tripoli. The Clemenceau area soon became a battlefield one of the darkest chapters of the “Two Years War.” Despite the turmoil, the Bendaly Family made a remarkable impact. They launched a new artistic concept, blending modern lyrics and music with a clear identity rooted in Lebanese and oriental authenticity. The years between 1975 and 1985 became their golden era, marked by dozens of albums and performances. They toured the Arab world and visited Lebanese communities across Europe, Australia, and the Americas, receiving awards and medals in recognition of their achievements. Few know that the founder of this artistic dynasty was Edward Bendaly, born in Askala, Tripoli. He studied at the Frere Institute, where his musical talent flourished. Though rejected by Lebanese Radio in his early career, he continued composing into his forties. His destiny shifted when he married Naema Bittar granddaughter of Nakhleh Katrib a gifted musician with a beautiful voice and mastery of piano and lute. Together, they had twelve children: Micheline, Dora, René, Yola, Fadia, Nadia, Roger, Norma, Randa, Sonia, Hania, and Fadi. All pursued music and academic excellence. In a moment of inspiration, they formed a band and fulfilled their father’s long-lost dream.
The Bendaly Family is truly unique in the world of music and art. All its members are siblings, born to artist parents who immersed themselves deeply in the world of creativity. They gave birth to “boys and girls” like a bouquet of melodies. Through their children, they fulfilled their dream of building an artistic family passing down, through natural talent and dedicated study, their love for music, their gift for singing, and their passion for art.
With encouragement and persistence, the parents shaped the family into a musical ensemble. Their children were named after musical notes, and together they formed a symphony of harmony. The family quickly evolved from hobbyists to professionals, rising to stardom in an era of giants. Over more than three decades, they produced countless theatrical and musical works, spanning classical and modern styles. They enriched, inspired, and delighted audiences performing unforgettable concerts and leaving their songs on every tongue. The Bendaly Family became a beacon of success in Lebanon and across the Arab world. They are a school of creativity, leaving behind a distinguished and remarkable signature in the world of music and art. I am proud and honored to have worked with the Bendaly Family as a lyricist at the very beginning of my career.
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