Cahit Berkay

Cahit Berkay — Biography

Cahit Berkay was born on 3 August 1946 in Senirkent, Isparta, moved to Istanbul with his family in 1959, and finished Kabataş Erkek Lisesi before graduating from Istanbul University's Faculty of Economics. Starting on mandolin as a boy, he turned professional in 1965 with the Selçuk Alagöz orchestra and twice placed third at the Golden Microphone contest. Joining Moğollar as guitarist in 1968, he became the band's chief composer after Aziz Azmet's departure in 1970, steering it from psychedelic rock toward an Anatolian-rock sound and adding bağlama and yaylı tambur to its palette. The 1971 album Danses et Rythmes de la Turquie, recorded while touring with Barış Manço, won France's Académie Charles Cros prize. After the band reunited in 1993 he wrote politically charged material for it and began singing lead himself. Starting his film-scoring career in 1975, he has since composed music for over two hundred films and series, winning the Golden Orange award four times for scores including Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım and Melekler Evi, an honorary award in 1999, and a lifetime prize at the 2024 Uğur Mumcu memorial awards. He also worked closely with singer Cem Karaca on albums such as Yiyin Efendiler, and has occasionally acted on screen. He continues performing live despite his advanced age.