Mohamed Touri

Biography

Mohamed Touri, real name Mohamed Besnassi, Algerian singer and theater man. He was born on November 9, 1914 in the Douirette district of Blida and died on April 29, 1959 in Algiers.

Mohamed Touri was born in Blida on November 9, 1914. He learned the Koran and Arabic language at the El Houda school in his hometown, before joining El madrassa El Houra (the Free School) of Association of Algerian Muslim Ulemas in Constantine. He returned to Blida in 1928. Subsequently, he joined the Amel Blida scout theater troupe, founded by Moussa Khedioui, as well as the El Hayat association troupe, directed by the master of Arab-Andalusian music Mohieddine Lekhal. It was there that he met many famous artists, including Dahmane Ben Achour and Ben Kerkoura.

In 1947, he joined the Algiers Opera, including the Arabic section which was directed by Mahieddine Bachtarzi. In 1956, he was arrested by French authorities for his national principles and contacts with artists linked to the leaders of the Algerian national movement. He died at Serkadji Prison on April 29, 1959. The deceased left for posterity a rich list of achievements, including films and comic songs.

The Blida theater, in Algeria, bears his name.