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Umm Kalthûm is generally regarded as one of the greatest singers in the Arab world. As a child, she studied chanting of the Koran with her father; the precise diction required of Islamic chant characterizes her singing style. Kalthûm began recording as a teenager in the 1920s and was popular in films of the 1930s. It was through live performances, however, particularly radio broadcasts, that she gained her pre-eminent stature throughout the Middle East. Kalthûm specialized in love songs and was famous for her ability to improvise, building tension with each repetition of the poetical lyrics. A fervent supporter of traditional Arab arts, she greatly influenced the development of popular music in Egypt. When Umm Kalthûm died in 1975, 3 million mourners filled the streets of Cairo.