15.02.2025 08:00
The famous folk singer Mustafa Kahtalı, known as Kahtalı Mıçe, passed away at the age of 72 in Antalya. The artist, who had been battling colon cancer for a long time, will be laid to rest in his hometown of Adıyaman.
Mustafa Kahtalı, known as 'Kahtalı Mıçe', was diagnosed with small intestine cancer last February. The Turkish folk music artist began receiving treatment at Akdeniz University (AÜ) Hospital. The artist, whose intestines were covered with tumors and who had metastasized to his liver, underwent chemotherapy. Throughout his treatment, family friend and tourism entrepreneur Ramazan Aslan closely cared for Kahtalı, who was also supported by many artist friends, acquaintances, and fellow townspeople. Both his hospital room and the hotel of family friend Aslan, where he went to rest, were flooded with fans. Mıçe received treatment at the university hospital for 8 months and spent the last 4 months at Yaşam Vakıf Hospital. The famous artist, who fought against the relentless disease for about a year, passed away today around 03:00 in Antalya. Kahtalı's funeral will be held at the cultural center named after him in his hometown of Kahta, followed by a prayer at Ulu Mosque, and he will be buried at Karşıyaka Municipal Cemetery.
A DOCUMENTARY WAS MADE ABOUT HIS LIFE Mustafa Kahtalı, who packed 19 albums into his 57-year artistic life, gave his last interview to documentary filmmaker Serkan Koç 6 months ago. Reflecting on the turning points and memories of his life, Kahtalı said, "If you have made a place for yourself in society as an artist, and if society has embraced you, you must appreciate that. It is easy to reach the top; what matters is staying there."
DEFINITION OF 'PEOPLE'S MAN' Venda Altuntaş, the voice artist daughter of Kahtalı, who did not leave her father's side during his illness, said, "My father, who is the common voice of the geography he was born in and the people he grew up with, conveyed everything about humanity—its happiness, sorrow, and joy—through folk songs. He was one of the rare names living in the collective memory of society. He has succeeded in inscribing his name into the definition of 'People's Man', which he wanted to exist in by courageously performing the works of great poets. We are very sad. May his loved ones be consoled."
CAUGHT IN THE EARTHQUAKE IN KAHTA Kahtalı Mıçe was caught in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş, in the Kahta district of Adıyaman. The famous artist, who lost nearly 100 relatives in the earthquake, said, "I thought they dropped a bomb. We struggled to get outside. There was not a stone left on a stone. Wherever we ran, the house was destroyed. I lost nearly 100 relatives. I can't be happy to be alive. This place is no longer Adıyaman; it's Acıyaman."
HIS NAME WAS GIVEN TO A CONSERVATORY The Senate of Adıyaman University (ADYÜ) decided on August 27, 2024, to name the building of the ADYÜ State Conservatory after Mustafa Kahtalı, one of the living legends of Adıyaman. Speaking at the ceremony held on October 22 for this purpose, ADYÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Keleş emphasized that Kahtalı Mıçe is one of the most important tourism ambassadors of Adıyaman and a great artist whose value should be recognized. Kahtalı expressed that he was very touched by the interest and attention shown to him.
WHO IS KAHTALI MIÇE? Kahtalı Mıçe, whose real name is Mustafa Aslan, was born in 1951 in the Kahta district of Adıyaman. He received this nickname due to 'Mıçe', which is a shortened form of Mustafa used in the region. Kahtalı attended primary school at Kahta Kubilay Primary School. Due to working mostly in cotton fields during his childhood, he was able to complete primary school in 9 years. He obtained his middle school diploma by taking external exams. From the age of 17, he began singing folk songs at weddings and concerts in Kahta. Between 1975 and 1985, he made album recordings that were not turned into albums and were not officially recorded. After the 1980 coup, he was imprisoned for 1 year for singing Kurdish songs. After releasing his first album 'Kara Gözlüm' in his hometown of Adıyaman, he gained fame with the album 'Gurbet Kuşu', which he released a year later in Istanbul. Kahtalı, who also performed pieces by artists such as Ahmet Sezgin, Nuri Sesigüzel, Mahsuni Şerif, and Sami Kasap, has 4 children, 2 daughters, and 2 sons, from his wife Hülya, whom he married in 1975. He changed his surname from 'Aslan' to 'Kahtalı' by court order 5 years ago.
The artist's albums and the years they were made are as follows:
"Kara Gözlüm (1985), Gurbet Kuşu (1986), Dilek Dağı (1987), Dünden Bugüne Gazellerimiz (1988), Acı Günlerim (1989), Tanımaz Olaydım-Son Günlerde (1991), Böyle Olur mu-Nerdesin (1993), Şu Gurbetin Garibiyim (1995), Dön Babom-Çıkalım Nemrut Dağına (1996), Adaklar Ettim-Zelğo Can (1997), Damımıza Kar Yağdı (1999), Usta ile Çırak (2002), Tık Dedi (2003), Ben Adamı Gözlerinden Tanırım (Şiirler) (2003), Düğünümüz Şen Ola-Mıçe Babo (2006), Siz Gidin Biz Geloğ-Komşu Naile (2009), Bir Peru Gördüm-Edi Bese (2013), Yıllar Sensiz Geçiyor (2016), Tencere Dibin Kara (2023)"