Marun Al Naqqash (

Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...

: مارون النقاش) (1855–1817) was a

Sidon Sidon ( ; he, צִידוֹן, ''Ṣīḏōn'') known locally as Sayda or Saida ( ar, صيدا ''Ṣaydā''), is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate, of which it is the capital, on the Mediterranean coast. ...

-born Maronite who produced the first theatre play texts in Arabic language.

Early life and education

Al Naqqash was born in Sidon on 9 February 1817 into a Maronite family. In 1825 his family moved to Beirut where he studied Arabic language, literature in addition to law and foreign languages, including French, Italian and Turkish. He also involved in poetry, Oriental music and was educated as a bookkeeper.

Career and activities

Following the completion of his studies Al Naqqash began to work as a chief clerk at the customs department and became a member of the chamber of commerce in Beirut. He traveled to Damascus, Aleppo and Egypt for business. In 1846 he went to Italy where he was introduced the Italian theatre and opera. After he returned to Lebanon he translated ''

The Miser ''The Miser'' (french: L'Avare; ; also known by the longer name ''L'Avare ou L'École du Mensonge,'' meaning The Miser, or the School for Lies) is a five-act comedy in prose by the French playwright Molière. It was first performed on September ...

'', a play by

Molière Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (, ; 15 January 1622 (baptised) – 17 February 1673), known by his stage name Molière (, , ), was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and worl ...

, into Arabic and published it with the title ''Al-bakhīl'' in 1847 which was the first Arabic play text. ''Al-bakhīl'' was written in the standard Arabic and in verse rather than in prose which made it ready for musical performance. Al Naqqash also established a theatre near to his Beirut home after granting a permission from the Ottomans where ''Al-bakhīl'' was performed in 1847. Then he produced two original plays in 1850 and 1853. The first one was ''Abu Al Hasan al-Mughaffal aw Harun Al Rashid'' (''Abu Al Hasan the Gullible'' or ''the Caliph Harun Al Rashid'') which was an adaptation of the One Thousand and One Nights. This second play was also performed at his theatre. His last play was entitled ''Al Salit al-Hasud'' (''The Impudent and Jealous Young Man'') which was also performed.

Personal life and death

His nephew, Salim Al Naqqash, also involved in theatre and formed a

theatrical troupe Theatrical troupe (French: ''troupe''), sometimes referred to as an acting company, is a group of theatrical performers working together. They may work in repertory other types of theatres, and may take performances on tour. They are not the same ...

. Al Naqqash went to Tarsus on 19 September 1854 for business. While staying there he died of fever on 1 June 1855 at age 38.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Naqqash, Marun 19th-century dramatists and playwrights 1817 births 1855 deaths Lebanese Maronites People from Sidon 19th-century Lebanese writers Writers from Beirut 19th-century translators