19.06.2025 09:53
The master artist Mehmet Erenler, who passed away at the age of 79 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, was bid farewell on his final journey with a funeral ceremony held in Istanbul. Prominent figures from the art community spoke about the unique values Erenler contributed to Turkish folk music and his lasting impact over generations. His admirers said goodbye to Erenler, who was referred to as the "master of the bağlama," with tears in their eyes.
The master artist, who had been battling pancreatic cancer for a while and passed away at the age of 79 due to organ failure, was laid to rest after the funeral prayer held at the Fatih Mosque of the Istanbul Forest Regional Directorate following the afternoon prayer. During the funeral ceremony, condolences were accepted by the artist's son Serkan Erenler, daughter Selen Erenler, and granddaughter Zehra Erenler.
"HE HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE GENERATION AFTER HIM" Artist Erdal Erzincan stated in a press release that Erenler was the "legendary name" of the Yurttan Sesler School, saying, "I believe that Mehmet Erenler's musical taste, skill, and mastery of the bağlama have influenced all of us. He had a significant impact on the generation after him."
Erzincan expressed that Erenler held a very special place for him and that he benefited from him in every sense, saying, "We have lost a very important value, but he is not just physically among us. From now on, his trace will live on forever in the fabric of our bağlama and in the folk songs we sing."
"MEHMET ERENLER WAS THE MASTER OF STYLES, BAĞLAMA, REGIONS, AND FOLKLORE" Artist Çetin Akdeniz emphasized that Erenler was one of the milestones of Turkish folk music, stating, "Mehmet Erenler was the master of styles, bağlama, regions, and folklore. We learned a lot from him. How fortunate I am to have been inspired by such a valuable teacher. In fact, I taught at the same school. From time to time, I benefited from his experiences. He was a very valuable person who knew how to be great with the great and small with the small. May his place be paradise."
WE SHARED THE SAME YEAR FOR DECADES Artist Ümit Tokcan noted that he shared the same stage with master names for about 40 years alongside Erenler, stating, "He was both a very valuable teacher and our conductor. It is a great loss. We will miss him a lot; may God have mercy on him."
"TODAY WE BID FAREWELL TO A VERY ANCIENT TREE OF A GREAT TRADITION" Artist Selahattin Alpay expressed that Mehmet Erenler was a spiritual teacher for him, stating, "We worked together for 22 years; I carried his instrument a lot, and he was a person who deserved it. I worked with many people, but Mehmet Erenler's distinction was different. I never saw a glass or any ulterior motive in his hands; he was indisputable as an artist. He was not only a master of the repertoire of Central Anatolia but of all Anatolia. He had many teachings and trained students. May his place be paradise."
Artist Zafer Gündoğdu also referred to Erenler as the "master of the bağlama," stating, "He was truly a great value with his personality and services, and his connection to this culture, society, and land. Today, we bid farewell to a very ancient tree of a great tradition. May our country's, all humanity's, folk songs', and everything related to this land and us be blessed." Erenler's funeral was held with the participation of his relatives, artist friends, and admirers, and he was buried in the Family Cemetery in Yeniköy after the funeral prayer.