17.06.2025 11:41
Mehmet Erenler, a classical bağlama virtuoso who dedicated his life to Turkish folk music and compiled many unforgettable folk songs such as "Karpuz Kestim Yiyen Yok," "Değmen Benim Gamlı Yaslı Gönlüme," and "Bir Çift Turna Gördüm," passed away at the age of 79. Erenler's funeral will be held tomorrow after the afternoon prayer and he will be laid to rest in the family cemetery in Yeniköy.
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TRT artist Mehmet Erenler passed away at the age of 79. Mustafa Ruhi Şirin, the President of the Children's Foundation, announced that Erenler, who had been battling pancreatic cancer for some time and was receiving treatment at the Palliative Care Unit of Istanbul Bahçelievler State Hospital, died due to organ failure.
Mehmet Erenler, who compiled unforgettable works of folk music such as "Karpuz Kestim Yiyen Yok," "Değmen Benim Gamlı Yaslı Gönlüme," and "Bir Çift Turna Gördüm," contributing to the cultural memory, was met with deep sorrow in the art world upon his death.
The funeral of the master artist will be held tomorrow after the afternoon prayer at the Fatih Mosque of the Istanbul Forest Regional Directorate on Büyükdere Street, and he will be laid to rest at the family cemetery in Yeniköy.
WHO IS MEHMET ERENLER? Born in 1946 in Ankara, Mehmet Erenler learned to play the bağlama by himself at the age of 8. At 13, he drew attention by participating in the "Yurttan Sesler" program prepared by the master of folk music, Muzaffer Sarısözen. Erenler, who began his artistic career institutionally in 1966, started working as a bağlama artist at Ankara Radio after passing the exam opened by TRT. Thanks to his academic approach to music, he later served as a faculty member at the Istanbul State Conservatory.
In 1980, Erenler was appointed to TRT Istanbul Radio at his own request, where he served for many years as both a bağlama artist and a choir conductor. He organized concerts, panels, and seminars in many cities across Turkey and abroad, bringing folk music to wider audiences, taught classes at universities, and contributed to the development of many young artists. Mehmet Erenler was recognized as one of the rare artists who remained true to the authentic performance tradition in Turkish folk music. His mastery of the free meter and improvisational "opening" technique in the bağlama repertoire was appreciated by listeners and music circles. Continuing his identity as a TRT artist, Erenler released more than 20 albums throughout his career, leaving deep traces in Turkey's cultural memory.
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