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Neşet Ertaş inherited the Abdal and bozlak tradition from his father Muharrem Ertaş, then renewed it through an extensive body of his own songs and performances.

Bozlak carried into a new century

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The idea in context

Ertaş grew up inside a working musical lineage, accompanying his father and learning not only melodies but the social world that gave them weight. His singing let the bozlak's high, unguarded cry hold separation, poverty, love, pride and the road; his bağlama answered without ornament for ornament's sake. He became nationally known without sanding away the Abdal tradition that formed him. The achievement was not escape from inheritance, but a voice distinct enough to keep inheritance alive.

Türkçe

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Neşet Ertaş, Abdal ve bozlak geleneğini babası Muharrem Ertaş'tan devraldı; kendi türkülerinden ve icralarından oluşan geniş bir birikimle bu mirası yeniledi.

Yeni bir yüzyıla taşınan bozlak

Ertaş, yaşayan bir müzik silsilesinin içinde büyüdü; babasına eşlik ederken yalnızca ezgileri değil, onlara ağırlık veren toplumsal dünyayı da öğrendi. Sesi, bozlağın yüksek ve savunmasız haykırışında ayrılığı, yoksulluğu, aşkı, gururu ve yolu taşıdı; bağlaması gösterişe kaçmadan karşılık verdi. Onu biçimlendiren Abdal geleneğinin köşelerini törpülemeden ülke çapında tanındı. Başarısı mirastan kaçmak değil, mirası yaşatacak kadar kendine özgü bir ses kurmaktı.

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Background reading: Neşet ErtaşAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.

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Next in the open archivePeruvian singer Yma Sumac commanded an exceptionally broad range, moving between cavernous lows, brilliant high notes and vocal colours that resisted a single category.Q1925

Neşet Ertaş inherited the Abdal and bozlak tradition from his father Muharrem Ertaş, then renewed it through an extensive body of his own songs and performances.

The idea in context

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