Zeki Müren

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Zeki Müren
The bust of Zeki Müren in front of his house in Bodrum, where he settled before his death.
Born(1931-12-06)6 December 1931
Bursa, Turkey
Died24 September 1996(1996-09-24) (aged 64)
İzmir, Turkey
EducationBursa Osmangazi School
Boğaziçi High School
Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
Musical career
GenresTurkish classical music
Years active1950–1996
Labels
  • Grafson Plak, Coşkun Plak LP, Kalan, Türküola LP, Minareci Kaset, Sahibinin Sesi Greece, Balkan Plak, Yavuz Plak, Lider Plak, Elenor LP
Signature

Zeki Müren (Turkish pronunciation: [zeˈci ˈmyɾæn]; 6 December 1931[1] – 24 September 1996) was a Turkish singer, composer, songwriter, actor and poet. Known by the nicknames "The Sun of Art"[2] and "Pasha",[3] he was one of the prominent figures of Turkish classical music. Due to his contributions to the art industry, he was named a "State Artist" in 1991.[4] He was the first singer to receive a gold certification in Turkey and throughout his career recorded and released hundreds of songs on cassettes and phonograph records.[5]

Life[edit]

Childhood and education[edit]

Müren was born in the Hisar district of Bursa, at the wooden house number 30 on Ortapazar Road[2] as the only child of Kaya and Hayriye Müren.[2][6] His father was a timber merchant.[7]

Müren went to the Bursa Osmangazi School (later Tophane School and Alkıncı School). When he was at school, his musical ability was discovered by his teachers and he started to have a prominent role at school musicals. His first ever role was the character of a shepherd in one of these musicals.[7]

He finished his secondary school in Bursa and then asked his father to let him go to Istanbul. There he attended the Istanbul Boğaziçi High School. He finished the school and ended up as the number-one student.[7] After passing his exams, he was enrolled at the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts (now Mimar Sinan University) where he studied decorative arts from 1950 to 1953.[7]

Music career[edit]

On 19 November 1953, Zeki Müren gave his first concert at the Great Cinema in Atatürk Boulevard

In 1950, while he was a university student, he took part at TRT Istanbul Radio's music competition and ranked number-one out of 186 contestants.[7] On 1 January 1951, he had his first live performance on Istanbul Radio, which was praised by critics. During this performance, he was accompanied by musicians Hakkı Derman, Serif İçli, Şükrü Tunar, Refik Fersan and Necdet Gezen. Hamiyet Yüceses subsequently called the program and congratulated him on his performance. In those years, TRT Ankara Radio was the most listened radio in Anatolia, and Istanbul Radio could not be heard clearly from all parts of Anatolia. At the same week, the clarinetist Şükrü Tunar, took Müren to his own recording studio in Yeşilköy and he recorded his song "Muhabbet Kuşu" on phonograph record. Thanks to this record, Müren became known all over Anatolia.[7]

After the success of his first live performance and his first record, Müren began to perform different songs on Turkish radios. His radio programs went on air for 15 years, most of which included live performances. Müren subsequently focused on giving concerts and recording new songs. He had his first live concert on 26 May 1955. He would usually wear his self-designed clothes on stage. He brought various innovations such as dressing uniforms and using T podium.[7]

Together with Behiye Aksoy, he performed at Maksim Casino[citation needed] for 11 years.[8] In 1976, he became the first Turkish artist to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London.[9]

Throughout his career, Müren recorded 600 cassettes and phonograph records. His first song recorded on a phonograph was "Bir Muhabbet Kuşu" by Şükrü Tunar. With his song "Manolyam" in 1955, Müren became the first Turkish artist to receive a gold certification.[10] In 1991, he was chosen as a State Artist.[11]

Other ventures[edit]

In 1965, he published a poetry book called Bıldırcın Yağmuru (The Quail Rain), which contains nearly 100 poems.[7] Among the poems featured in this book are Pembe Yağmurlar (Pink Rains), Bursa Sokağı (Bursa Street), İkinci Sadık Dost, Çim Makası, Son Kavga (Last Fight), Bu Bestecikler Sana, Alınyazım, Kazancı Yokuşu and Kendimi Arıyorum.[12]

Personal life[edit]

Zeki Müren never married. In the 1950s, with his special patterns of behavior, dressing and his performance on stage, he managed to keep people constantly interested in himself. In the early years of his career, he chose to wear ordinary clothes and hair styles, but later showed a favor for feminine-styled clothes, and performed with new hair styles and make-up. He never commented on his sexual orientation and occasionally his name appeared alongside that of women.[13] The general opinion was that he was gay.[14][15]

He was known to speak Turkish with a viscous accent. Referred to as the "Pasha of Music", in 1969, after his Aspendos concert, for the first time, he started being favored by the people of Antalya. He explained that although he was delighted because of their support, he still did not know why he was that much favored.[16] He served as an assistant officer in Ankara Infantry School (6 months), Istanbul Harbiye Representative Office (6 months) and Çankırı (3 months) in 1957–1958.[7] With Onur Akay's suggestion on TRT Music, Müren's date of birth (6 December) has been celebrated as the Turkish Art Music Day since 2012.[17][18][19]

Illness and death[edit]

One of the clothes exhibited at Zeki Müren Art Museum in Bodrum

During the last 6 years of his life, Müren was away from the scenes and the media due to heart disease and diabetes. He was retired at his house in Bodrum. He described this period as a time for "listening to oneself".[20] On 24 September 1996, during the ceremony held for him at TRT İzmir Television, he had a heart attack and died. His funeral ceremony was attended by a large number of people. His body was taken to his birth place, Bursa, and buried in Emirsultan Cemetery.[21]

He left all his assets in his will to the Turkish Education Foundation and Mehmetçik Foundation.[22] TEV and Mehmetçik Foundation built Zeki Müren Fine Arts Anatolian High School in Bursa in 2002. In a statement on 24 September 2016, TEV Bursa branch president Mehmet Çalışkan said that the foundation had helped 2,631 students with the Zeki Müren Scholarship Fund over the last 20 years.[23]

After his death, the house in which the artist lived in Bodrum for the last years of his life was transformed into Zeki Müren Art Museum by the order of the Ministry of Culture and was opened to the public on 8 June 2000.[24] It was visited by more than 200 thousand people between its opening on 8 June 2000 and December 2006.[22]

In popular culture[edit]

On 6 December 2018, a Google Doodle was displayed to celebrate his 87th birthday.[25]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Albums published during his lifetime
Album list ve sales
Album Release date Sales Record company Notes
Zeki Müren 1969
Senede Bir Gün 1970
Pırlanta 1 1973 Emre Grafson Plak
Pırlanta 2 1973 Emre Grafson
Pırlanta 3 1973 Emre Grafson
Pırlanta 4 1973 Emre Grafson
Anılarım 1974 Emre Grafson
Güneşin Oğlu 1976 Odeon Plak
Mücevher 1977
Nazar Boncuğu 1978 Elenor Plak
Sükse 1979 Elenor Plak
Kahır Mektubu 1981 Türküola
Eskimeyen Dost 1982
Hayat Öpücüğü 1984 AJS
Aşk Kurbanı 1985
Masal 1985
Helal Olsun 1987
Gözlerin Doğuyor Gecelerime 1988 Yavuz&Burç
Ayrıldık İşte 1989 Yavuz&Burç
Zirvedeki Şarkılar 1989 Yavuz&Burç
Dilek Çeşmesi 1990 Yavuz&Burç
Sev Beni 1989 Türkola
Doruktaki Nağmeler 1991 Yavuz&Burç
Sorma 1992 Yavuz&Burç

Singles[edit]

Playlist with selected list positions, release year and album name
Single Year Format Notes
Hem Okudum Hem Yazdım 1951
Asmalar Kol Uzatmış 1951
Gönlümün Baharı Bir Gün Açacak 1953
Zehretme Hayatı 1955
Ruhumda Yine Aşk Bestesi Var 1955
Hasret Acısı 1957
Yiğidin Alnına Yazılan Gelir 1957
Karanlık Geceler Beklerim Yolunu 1957
Bende Hicran Yarasından 1958
Gözlerinin İçine Başka Hayal Girmesin 1958
Züğürt: Nem Alacak Felek Benim 1959
Zennobe 1960
Senden Ayrı Günlerimde 1962
Renk Almış İpek Saçların 1962
İki Damla Gözyaşı 1970
Hayat Kumarı / Mahpushane 1973 45s
Şarkıların Kaderi 1974 45s
Nasıl İçmem Arkadaşım 1977 45s
Kandil / Mutluluğun Sırrı 1986 45s
Madem Derdimi Sordun Dinlemeye Mecbursun 1987
Aşk Kurbanı 1998 45s Published posthumously
Yemen Türküsü 2016 Published posthumously
Biz Ayrılamayız 2018 Published posthumously
Günah Defteri / Hasret Ateşi 2018 45s Published posthumously
Su Akar Şırıl Şırıl 2018 Published posthumously
Sus Kalbim Sus 2018 Published posthumously
Canım Benim Gülüm Benim 2018 Published posthumously
The phrase "45s" indicates that the singles were published as vinyl records.

Compilation albums[edit]

Playlist with selected list positions, release year and album name
Album Year Format Notes
Sorma [tr] 1992
Batmayan Güneş 2006
Taş Plak Klasikleri 2019

Albums released abroad[edit]

Playlist with selected list positions, release year and album name
Album Year Records Notes
The Best of Zeki Müren Love Songs Folk Songs Popular Songs of İstanbul 1964 Balkan Records
The Golden Voice of Zeki Müren 1964 Balkan Records
Latest Hits of Zeki Müren 1964 Balkan Records
The Golden Voice Zeki Müren 1964 Balkan Records
Zeki Müren Altın Sesli The Golden Voice 1964 Balkan Records

Duo albums[edit]

Playlist with selected list positions, release year and album name
Album Year Format Notes
Biz Ayrılamayız [tr] 1998 He sang with Muazzez Abacı.

Albums released posthumously[edit]

In addition to these, there are 12 other albums attributed to Zeki Müren published during 1968–1974 by Grafson Plak.

Filmography[edit]

International titles are given in parentheses.

Year Film Director Task Notes Source
Actor Music director Scriptwriter Soundtrack Role
1953 Beklenen Şarkı
(Awaited Song)
Orhon Murat Arıburnu, Sami Ayanoğlu, Cahide Sonku Yes Zeki His only movie with Cahide Sonku. [26]
1955 Son Beste
(The Last Musical Composition)
Arşavir Alyanak Yes Zeki Müren [27]
1957 Berduş
(The Vagabond)
Osman F. Seden Yes Yes Bedri [28]
1958 Altın Kafes
(Gilded Cage)
Osman F. Seden Yes Yes
1959 Kırık Plak
(The Broken Disk)
Osman F. Seden Yes Yes Yes Zeki Müren Work in the Credits: Zeki Müren is mentioned. The screenplay is Bülent Oran.
Gurbet
(Foreign Place)
Osman F. Seden Yes Yes
1962 Hayat Bazen Tatlıdır
(Sometimes Life Is Enjoyable)
Nejat Saydam Yes [29]
1963 Aşk Hırsızı
(Love Thief)
Osman F. Seden Yes Yes Zeki
1963 Bahçevan
(The Gardener)
Nejat Saydam Yes Fındık Ali
1964 İstanbul Kaldırımları
(Pavements of Istanbul)
Metin Erksan Yes Yes Zeki
1965 Hep O Şarkı
(Always That Song)
Atıf Yılmaz Yes Yes
1966 Düğün Gecesi
(The Wedding Night)
Osman F. Seden Yes
1967 Hindistan Cevizi
(The Coconut)
Osman F. Seden Yes Zeki
1968 İstanbul'da Cümbüş Var
(There is a Revel in Istanbul)
Sırrı Gültekin Yes Zeki Müren [30]
1968 Kâtip (Üsküdara Giderken)
(Kâtip)
Ülkü Erakalın Yes Katip
1969 İnleyen Nağmeler
(Howling Tunes)
Safa Önal Yes Yes Zeki Müren
Kalbimin Sahibi
(Owner of my Heart)
Safa Önal Yes
1970 Aşktan da Üstün
(Fallen Out Of Love)
Atıf Yılmaz Yes Yes Zeki
1971 Rüya Gibi
Like A Dream
Lütfi Akad Yes Zeki
1975 Deli Deli Tepeli
(Crazy Crazy Crested)
Nejat Okçugil Yes Zeki

Others[edit]

Clips he has appeared in or songs dedicated to him
Year Artist Song Album Notes
2002 Aziza Mustafa Zadeh Ayrılık Shamans In an interview she said she is a fan of Zeki Müren.[31]
2006 Nil Karaibrahimgil Bu mudur? Tek Taşımı Kendim Aldım In his video, she included the scenes with Zeki Müren.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "BBC Türkçenin Zeki Müren mülakatı, 1983" (in Turkish). BBC. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Sultan Uçar (15 September 2013). "Gizli kasadaki Zeki Müren". HABERTÜRK. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. ^ "Hangi Zeki Müren şarkısı duygularınızı en iyi ifade ediyor?". CNNTÜRK TV. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Devlet sanatçılığına iptal". NTVMSNBC. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  5. ^ Ismet Göksel Berber (26 September 1996). "Zeki Müren Kimdir?". bilgiustam.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016. "Eserleri hakkında". Türkiye Gazetesi. 26 Eylül 1996. ve İnternet
  6. ^ "TRT - Anasayfa". TRT.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Batmayan Güneş Zeki Müren" documentary. Publisher: Kürşat Özkök. TRT. Release date: 10–12 September 1996.
  8. ^ "Maksim Gazinosu sahnelerinde aralıksız 11 yıl Behiye Aksoy ile dönüşümlü olarak sahne almış olan TSM.mizin unutulmaz sanat güneşi kimdir?". Mynet. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  9. ^ ARŞİV ODASI: Zeki Müren, 1976 - BBC TÜRKÇE. BBC Türkçe. YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  10. ^ Emel Gülcan (24 September 2014). "Sanat Güneşi Zeki Müren'in İlklerle Dolu Rengârenk Hayatı". ListeList.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
  11. ^ "1991 Yılında Seçilen Devlet Sanatçıları". T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  12. ^ "Eserleri hakkında". Türkiye Newspaper. 26 September 1996.
  13. ^ Zeki Müren'e Sarıyer'de "çakma aşk" Aykut Işıklar. Sariyerhaber.com. Retrieved: 15 April 2012
  14. ^ Sefa Kaplan (15 October 2011). "Türkiye Zeki Müren'dir". Hürriyet. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  15. ^ Shidfar, Farhad (2005). "Gay musicians in Turkey". International Forum of Psychoanalysis, vol. 14(3–4) 224–226, Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group
  16. ^ Yasemin Bozkurt röportajı, 1985 Youtube.com. Retrieved: 17 January 2012.
  17. ^ Gazetesi, Aydınlık. "Veliahtından Sanat Güneşi'ne doğum günü armağanı". www.aydinlikgazete.com.
  18. ^ Kanal, Ulusal. "Zeki Müren'e doğum günü hediyesi haberi - Son Dakika Haberleri". www.ulusalkanal.com.tr.
  19. ^ "İyi ki doğdun Zeki Müren Yaşam Haberi - GÜNEŞ".
  20. ^ "Türk Müziğinin Sanat Güneşi Zeki Müren". Haberler.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  21. ^ "Zeki Müren mezarı başında anıldı". Sabah. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  22. ^ a b Turkish Daily Sabah, Sanat Güneşi anılıyor, 6 December 2006. (In Turkish, last accessed 8 July 2007).
  23. ^ "Sanat Güneşi Zeki Müren mezarı başında anıldı - Cumhuriyet Türkiye Haberleri" [Zeki Muren Art Solar grave was commemorated at the beginning - the Republic of Turkey News]. Cumhuriyet. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  24. ^ "Sanat Güneşi Şarkıları ile Anılacak". Haberler.com. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  25. ^ "Zeki Müren's 87th Birthday". google.com. 6 December 2018.
  26. ^ "Kimi yönetmen koltuğuna oturdu, kimi senaryo yazdı". HaberTürk. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Zeki Müren movies". Dergi Bursa. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  28. ^ "Zeki Müren filmleri, "Berduş"". SinemaTürk.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Hayat Bazen Tatlıdır (1962)". IMDb.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  30. ^ "İstanbul'da Cümbüş Var". Youtube, "SinemaGo". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Cazın hüzünlü prensesi Aziza Zeki Müren aşığı..." Milliyet. 2002. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.

External links[edit]