Asik Veysel

Âşık Veysel was a Turkish Alevi ashik and highly regarded poet of the Turkish folk literature. He was born in the Sivrialan village of the Şarkışla district, in the province of Sivas. He was an ashik, poet, songwriter, and a bağlama virtuoso, the prominent representative of the Anatolian ashik tradition in the 20th century. He was blind for most of his lifetime. His songs are usually sad tunes, often dealing with the inevitability of death. However, Veysel used a wide range of themes for his lyrics; based on morals, values, and constant questioning of issues such as love, care, beliefs, and how he perceived the world as a blind man. He lost his sight at the age of seven due to smallpox and an accident. His father gave him a bağlama and taught him many folk poems. He also learned from other poets and ashiks who visited his village. He started to compose his own poems and songs at the age of 15. He married twice, but both of his marriages were unhappy and he lost his only son shortly after his birth. He also lost his parents and his daughter at a young age. He met Ahmet Kutsi Tecer, a literature teacher and folklorist, who introduced him to the Association For Preservation of Folk Poets in 1931. He participated in the Fest of Folk Poets, which was attended by many prominent figures of Turkish culture and politics. He gained recognition and admiration for his talent and wisdom. He also met Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, who praised his art and encouraged him to continue. He traveled around the country, performing his songs and poems for various audiences. He also recorded some of his works for the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation. He became a symbol of Turkish folk culture and a source of inspiration for many artists and intellectuals. He died of cancer in 1973, in his native village. His house was turned into a museum and his grave became a place of pilgrimage for his admirers.