Müzeyyen Senar

Müzeyyen Senar (born July 16, 1918) is a Turkish classical music performer, known as the "Diva of the Republic".^[1][2]

Early years

Senar was born on July 16, 1918 in the village of Gököz in the Keles district of Bursa Province, in the then Ottoman Empire. She had two elder brothers İsmet and Hilmi. Her mother Zehra had a nice voice and used to sing Senar to sleep.^[1] At her age of five, she developed a stutter after returning from a wedding ceremony, perhaps the result of fear, as she recalled. Her speech disorder lasted until adulthood, though, as is usually the case with performers, it did not affect her singing voice.^[1][2] At six years old, knowing most of the popular folk songs by heart, she sang at family gatherings and wedding ceremonies, to which her mother took her.^[1] In her early childhood, she ran away from her father's home in Bursa to Istanbul, where her mother lived. Her father had left his wife after a marriage of 25 years.^[2]

Career

Senar began her musical career in 1931 by entering the "Anadolu Musiki Cemiyeti" (literally: Anatolia Musical Association) in Üsküdar, where she was educated by kemenche virtuoso Kemal Niyazi Seyhun and oud player Hayriye. The young girl with a voluminous voice attracted the attention of renowned musicians of the era, such as Selahattin Pınar, Sadettin Kaynak, Yesari Asım Arsoy, Lemi Atlı, Şükrü Tunar, Osman Nihat, Sadi Hoşses, Baki Duyarlar, and Suphi Ziya Özbekkan, who gave her their compositions to sing.^[1][2]

After starting to perform at Radio Istanbul of TRT, Senar became well known. In 1933 she debuted on stage in a summer talent show at one of the most important music halls in Istanbul. Later, Senar continued her performances at other renowned music halls.^[2] Also in 1933, at the age of sixteen, she sang her first song on 78 rpm record released by (His Master's Voice). More recordings followed later on Odeon Records and other labels.^[2] Her singing was also much admired by the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938). On several occasions she gave special concerts in his audience.^[2]

Following an offer of Mesut Cemil in 1938, she went to Ankara to perform at the newly established state-owned local radio station. In 1941 she returned to Istanbul to give concerts at various well-known night clubs. In 1947, Senar gave her first concert abroad in Paris, France at Le Lido.^[1] With her voice and style, she opened a new era of Turkish classical music. Senar retired from active singing in 1983, appearing in her final show in a popular music hall in Bebek, Istanbul.^[2]

In the 1940s Senar played the leading role in the movie Kerem ile Aslı. In the 1960s she was featured in the movies Ana Yüreği and Sevgili Hocam. Her 1976 film, Analar Ölmez is autobiographical.^[2] She dubbed Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum's songs in imported Arabic movies with songs specially composed for Turkish release.^[1][2]

Later years

On September 26, 2006 it was reported that she suffered a cerebral infarction at her home in İzmir, which paralyzed her left side.^[3] In February 2008 it was reported that she had lost her voice.^[4] As of 2013, Senar is living with her daughter Feraye Işıl in Bodrum.^[5][6]

Recognition

In 1998 Senar was awarded the "State Artist" Award, which she declined to accept.^[7] With the initiative of her student, renowned Turkish classical music singer, Bülent Ersoy, an exhibition of photographs of her entitled "Cumhuriyetin Divası: Müzeyyen Senar" ("Müzeyyen Senar, the Diva of the Republic") was held in Ankara on October 29, 2009, the Republic Day of Turkey.^[2][8]

Discography