Nazım: Do you speak Kurdish?
Dünya: No.
Nazım: So, why are you sobbing?
Dünya: Is it necessary to speak Kurdish in order to cry over this song?
This song was loved by a vast majority of Turkey, and of course, this raised interest in Aynur’s albums. And then, TRT Şeş was launched early this year; the announcement by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who announced the launch of the TV station in Kurdish, was discussed for quite some time. Additionally, a Kurdish folksong performed by Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy from Van Gülsen Orhan in a live broadcast attracted a great deal of attention. The entire studio audience was touched by the song she performed in memory of her late husband (who also happened to be her uncle’s son), “Dotmam” (My Uncle’s Daughter).
Interest in the Kurdish language has grown since the launch of the state-owned TV station broadcasting in Kurdish. Almost all newspapers wrote headlines about the station in Kurdish. Columnists hailed this reform by penning their headlines in this language. All these were followed by a performance in Kurdish by famous Turkish pop singer Ajda Pekkan. The song “Keçe Kurdan” (Kurdish Girl), which she performed with Aynur, attracted both praise and criticism. However, Pekkan did not let the criticism bother her. “I performed this song feeling the struggles of the women mentioned in the song in my heart. Women are at the forefront, and they are struggling for a better education. The pencil should replace the sword, and enmity should be replaced by brotherhood. And we should be surrounded by songs healing our wounds,” she said.
No matter what, Turkey is changing; it is now time to honor Kurdish music, which had been suppressed and banned on the grounds that singing in Kurdish was a sign of secessionism or separatism. Singers are now free to perform their songs in Kurdish, TV stations feature Kurdish performances and a number of musicians have already announced their intention to make albums in this long-banned language. And finally, folk and arabesque singer İbrahim Tatlıses has declared that he will produce an album consisting entirely of songs performed in Kurdish. The album, to be titled “Şemamme,” will be out pretty soon.
Classical Turkish music performer Bülent Ersoy has also announced her intention to make a similar move. Famous singer Muazzez Ersoy, too, has attracted attention for her performances in Kurdish.
Another singer, Seda Sayan, who held a concert in the predominantly Kurdish city of Diyarbakır, performed “Rındamın,” a Kurdish song. Years ago, Hülya Avşar admitted on a TV show that her grandmother was Kurdish and subsequently sang a Kurdish song, “Kürt Kızı” (Kurdish Girl). We are already accustomed to Sezen Aksu’s routine: She sings Kurdish songs at every concert she performs in eastern cities. Politicians have also expressed their full support for performances in Kurdish. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Mehdi Eker sang Kurdish songs at a special gathering attended by people from Diyarbakır in Antalya. This gesture attracted a great deal of attention.
However, it should be noted that it is a great pleasure to hear these songs from Kurdish singers, including Ciwan Haco, Şivan Perver, Nilüfer Akbal, Mikail Aslan, Aynur and Rojin; these are now famous names, but they had remained unknown to most Turks for years. It is fair to say that Kurdish music is loved largely due to the contributions of these singers.
‘It is not proper to restrict Kurdish music to TRT Şeş'
Hasan Saltık (owner of Kalan Music): Kurds are citizens of this country, and Kurdish is the second most frequently spoken language. I think the musicality of the Kurdish language is better than that of Turkish or any other language. However, it is better if Kurdish singers perform these songs because it is difficult to sing these; sometimes, it does not sound natural when you hear it from someone else. It is strange that some TV stations still censor Kurdish to avoid any trouble. It is not proper to restrict the performance of Kurdish songs to TRT Şeş. Some of the taboos and prejudices are still alive.
***
‘We will overcome prejudice'
Rojin (singer of Kurdish origin): Years ago, I argued that Tarkan would one day sing in Kurdish. The current interest of many singers in singing Kurdish songs shows that art and artists may become quite influential in enhancing brotherhood and sisterhood. We will overcome prejudices and biases with the help of my colleagues and art lovers. People will pay attention to the melody and harmony of the language and the universality of music. And I hope that we will embrace each other more tightly and heal our wounds together.
***
‘Turkish artists must bring original perspectives’
Nilüfer Akbal (Kurdish musician): However belated the current developments [in Turkey] regarding the Kurdish issue may be, I feel the obligation to personally look at them as constructive efforts and support them. In my point of view, Turkish artists who perform Kurdish music should introduce novel, original dimensions into this genre instead of merely singing already existing Kurdish songs to increase their own popularity. Up until a few years ago, the [Turkish] media used to totally turn a blind eye to Kurds whereas today the [Turkish Radio and Television Corporation] TRT has assigned an entire channel to 24-hour broadcasting in Kurdish. The history and the current-day status of minorities in Turkey are being debated in the media. At this point, what is important for both sides is to accept the anguish each side has gone through and to demand reparation.
