Abdulrahman a gifted playwright
One of the most renowned poets in the region
This is the first in a series of articles on Abdulrahman Sleman Al Thuaihi (1934-1996), a poet, playwright, pioneer in the Kuwait stage movement. — Editor
In the galaxy of Kuwaiti pioneers Abdulrahman Sleman Al Thuaihi is a bright star in his own right. In the field of Al Mowal or Al Zahriyat (a form of poetry based on stanza composed of certain fixed lines with a rhyme scheme) he was one of the most renowned poets in his country and possibly in the Gulf region.
As a gifted playwright, director and stage actor he played a pioneering role in the development of the stage movement in Kuwait. His contribution in this field was a new phase in the life of Mesrah Al Shahabi, for which from 196567, he wrote and directed seven successful plays.
Though it was brief, this period was also the most prolific for Abdurrahman as a gifted playwright, afterwards he dedicated most of his time to poetry.
Abdulrahman Al Thuaihi was born in 1934 at Qebla, a district of Old Kuwait City, in the very decade that witnessed some major innovations in the country.
Infrastructure
For the first time in the history of Kuwait the first infrastructure of a civic administration was being established, spurred by the need of changing conditions heralded by the first discovery of oil in the country at Bahra in 1934, which though not in commercial quantity, it held the promise of a richer oil-field somewhere else in the land.
Indeed four years later, in February 1938, it was discovered at Burgan and this spurred every effort in preparing the country for the great leap it was to make as soon as the oil revenues would be pouring in.
In the enthusiastic flare for reforms, greater importance was given to the broadening of the education system, in order to prepare the younger generation with skills needed in the near further.
Along with education, health also received special consideration for school children.
The founding of the education department in 1936 led to the complete revisal of the school curriculum to which were included, besides essential subjects, the arts and sports for the development of higher culture.
To enhance the enthusiasm of the youngsters taking part in extra-curriculum activities a festival for arts and sports was held in a competitive atmosphere for the yearly cup. The festival was also aimed at familiarizing the people with the importance of art and sport in the life of the nation.
In this atmosphere of cultural developments Abdulrahman grew up absorbing what was going on around him, developing those potentials that most affected his sensitive mind.
At the time he was born, his father, Sleman Al Thuaihi, a merchant dealing with food-stuff, was already an old man with four wives, two in Kuwait and two in Saudi Arabia where he commuted for business.
His fourth wife, Sara Al Hoti (Abdulrahman’s mother) was 17 years old when he married her, Sleman was then 70 years old. Despite the large difference in age there was harmony in the household.
Apparently both parents shared a strong predilection for Abdulrahman, perhaps because of his shy, sensitive nature and pensive -friendly disposition that distinguished him from all his brothers and sisters. Indeed his mother used to say time and again.
“To the day I’ll die I’ll never have enough of Abdulrahman”
In 1938 Sleman died leaving Sara with five young children and her sixth on the way. Her condition aggravated her situation, but with the support of her family she pulled through.
Memory
Abdulrahman was only four years old when his father died, but the memory of him and the struggle of his young mother through the years of his growing up never faded away.
Her amiable nature and her nurturing him on those higher principles, on which he based his life, were the guiding force that shaped his character.
Hardship fosters the sturdy type of individuals; it sharpens their natural propensities, spurring their mental development, making them reliable and resourceful.
The loss of his father at such an early stage in his mental development affected Abdulrahman’s emotional state, for he grew up quite conscious of everything he did, and so fearful of failure that he became a perfectionist.
In whatever he set his mind to accomplish, he strove for perfection, especially in the field of literature through which he gained distinction in his country and in the Gulf region as a poet and as a gifted playwright.
In a frank conversation I had with one of his children (he left two boys and two girls) his younger daughter Hala revealed that her father was truly a democratic and broadminded man, a close friend to his children and an admirable husband.
He loved to share his thoughts and ideas with his family, and encouraged his children to share even their more intimate secrets with him. In any family decision, everyone was encouraged to speak his or her mind in an exchange of opinion.
In this atmosphere of cooperation, mutual respect and love everyone benefited, especially the children, who grew up healthy minded and emotionally mature, a credit to the man whose amiable nature drew them closer to him.
Every one of his children had a special place in his heart and that made them feel important.
Among his hobbies, gardening was his favorite pastime. Incidentally to each of his children he dedicated a palm trees which he named after him or her. He also encouraged the children to look after their own tree with care and respect. This engrained in them a feeling for nature and respect for all living things.
Abdulrahman’s affectionate, considerate disposition made him an exemplary husband. From the day he married (in 1964) to the day he died his wife was his soulmate, his true friend and companion. He often confided that without her by his side he felt lost.
Their relationship was based on mutual love and respect for each other.
In his most difficult hours she was his consoling friend, his faithful companion and the moral support he needed in those trying moments. During the long terminal illness, from which he succumbed in 1996, she was his source of strength in his stoic endurance.
Towards the end, when he had to be hospitalized, she never left his side. For three months she stayed at his bed-side trying to cheer him up consoling him in his terrible ordeal.
To be continued