A call for love and respect in Amatolia through Asik Veysel's music
rick murphy
"Look at the Koran,
look at the Bible,
all four books are God,
denigrating races is really disgraceful"
--- Asik Veysel
This is the essence of basic human rights and freedoms, including
freedom of religion (secularism) for which some unfortunate people
throughout the World have no respect.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=call-for-brotherhood-to-all-anatolian-publics-2009-12-21
A call for fraternity in Anatolia through Aşık Veysel's music
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Çiğdem Özer, granddaughter of one of Anatolia's greatest folk poets,
Aşık Veysel, has requested the country's Culture and Tourism Ministry
do more to promote the minstrel's legacy. She also calls for more
understanding and fraternity between Anatolia's people
Çiğdem Özer, Aşık Veysel's granddaughter
Aşık Veysel, an important representative of 20th century folk poetry
who took inspiration from Rumi, had a ready reply to those who would
practice discrimination:
"Kuran'a bak, İncil'e bak, dört kitabın dördü de hak, küçük görüp ırk
ayırmak, hakikaten yüz karası" (Look at the Koran, look at the Bible,
all four books are God, denigrating races is really disgraceful).
Folk poetry is an ongoing tradition in Anatolia dating back thousands
of years. Through their saz, an Anatolian stringed instrument, folk
poets captivate their listeners with lyrics on humanity's pain, love
and struggles.
Aşık Veysel was born into an Alevi family in the middle of the 1800s
in Sivrialan village in the Şarkışla district of the central Anatolian
province of Sivas. He lost his sight at the age of 7 due to smallpox
but was comforted by playing the magic melodies of the saz.
As the days passed, the saz became a passion for him and the only goal
of his life. Even though he was later presented with an opportunity to
undergo an operation and regain his sight, he refused the chance,
saying: "I have created such a world that I can see better than a
person with healthy eyes. I don't need to regain my sight."
Aşık Veysel, who was also a close friend of a well-known name in
Turkish literature, Kurdish author Yaşar Kemal, continued to convey
brotherhood, peace and friendship messages through hundreds of his
verses and tunes.
Modern interpretations of Aşık Veysel
On the 35th anniversary of the death of Aşık Veysel, the Hürriyet
Daily News & Economic Review spoke to his granddaughter Çiğdem Özer.
"Aşık Veysel is my grandfather, he is valuable for Turkey but,
unfortunately, he has not been promoted," said Özer.
Calling for the Culture and Tourism Ministry to recognize his legacy,
Özer said: "The year 2007 was launched as the Year of Rumi. For
example, next year could be launched as the Year of Aşık Veysel.
Support us in Aşık Veysel's promotion to the world."
A few years ago, Turkey's megastar pop singer, Tarkan, performed Aşık
Veysel's renowned piece, "Uzun İnce Bir Yoldayım" (I am on a Long,
Narrow Path), in a modern style.
Meanwhile, a renowned name in Turkish jazz, Esin Afşar, performed his
works in a jazz style. Özer said Turkish artists had attempted to do
something by their own efforts. "Works that will promote Aşık Veysel
and make him loved by a wider mass of people should be encouraged."
Kalan Music has priceless archive and copyrights
Aşık Veysel's priceless archive is in the hands of Kalan Music,
founded in 1991 by Hasan Saltuk, who also owns all related copyrights.
The music company sought to protect Anatolian ethnic music and was
presented with the Dutch Royal Award in 2003 for its work, "Ottoman
Music Gramophone Record Classification and Anatolian Collection."
Due to his contributions to Anatolian ethnic music, Saltuk was also
chosen as Hero of the Year in 2004 by TIME Magazine.
Aşık Veysel died at the age of 105 in 1973. Özer said she was born two
years after her grandfather died, and that she grew up by listening to
stories from her grandmother Gülizar.
"Seeing my grandfather on television, listening to him on radios was a
source of pride for me," she said. "We are an Alevi family. There is a
very important thing inherited from Aşık Veysel, it is a love of
humanity. Regardless of religion, language, race and sect, my
grandfather gave priority to human honor and continued the tradition
of Rumi."
Greeting to Anatolian people
Aşık Veysel's house in Sivrialan village was turned into a museum in
the middle of 1990s. The house displays dozens of Aşık Veysel photos
taken by well-known photographer Ara Güler, as well as the poet's
personal belongings.
"Our door is open to everyone who wants to know Aşık Veysel," said
Özer. "My philosophy is equality, brotherhood and friendship:
Greetings to all the people of Anatolia."
In closing, Özer related an anecdote about her grandfather: "My
grandfather was blind in two eyes, while author Yaşar Kemal's one eye
is blind. While they were trying to catch a street car, Rıfat Ilgaz,
one of the masters of humor, said, 'Look at that, a single eye is
enough for two men.'"
Rifat Albayrak
>http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=call-for-brotherhood-to-all-anatolian-publics-2009-12-21
>Greeting to Anatolian people
Long Narrow Path
I’m on a long, narrow path
I’m walking on, day and night.
I’ve lost my sense of self.
I’m walking on, day and night,
Day and night, day and night.
Ever since the moment I came into this world,
I was walking from the very beginning.
In a caravansary with only two doors.
I’m walking on, day and night,
Day and night, day and night.
In a caravansary with only two doors.
I’m walking on, day and night,
Day and night, day and night.
When contemplated deeply,
It seems far away, when looked at.
The road is but a minute long.
I’m walking on, day and night,
Day and night, day and night.
The road is but a minute long.
I’m walking on, day and night,
Day and night, day and night.
Veysel is confused in this state,
Sometimes crying, sometimes laughing,
On the road to reach my destination.
I’m walking on, day and night,
Day and night, day and night.
On the road to reach my destination.
I’m walking on, day and night,
Day and night, day and night.
--- Aşık Veysel