Celâl Şahin

Celâl Şahin — Biography

Celal Şahin (22 May 1925, Istanbul – 23 February 2018) was a Turkish musician, humorist and actor regarded as one of the first showmen of the Republican era. After Kabataş High School, he studied archaeology at Istanbul University's Faculty of Letters.

He launched his stage career while still a student, becoming known across Turkish venues for the parody songs and impressions he performed under the name 'Sesle Çizgiler.' He later carried this act onto radio programs and recordings, and his performances at Fahrettin Aslan's nightclubs helped several future stars gain early exposure. On Turkish radio and television he set satirical verses critiquing the authorities to his own accordion playing, and beyond the accordion he could also play the harmonica, drums, piano, kaval and bağlama. As a young man he briefly played basketball for Beşiktaş, and in the 1950s he appeared in a handful of films, including Vur Patlasın Çal Oynasın.

Considered a contemporary of Orhan Boran, Erkan Yolaç and Şemsi Yastıman, Şahin is remembered as one of the pioneering showmen of the Turkish stage. He died in Istanbul on 23 February 2018 at the age of 92 and was buried at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery following prayers at Zincirlikuyu Mosque. He was survived by his son Onur Şahin, a sports commentator, his daughter Zümrüt, and a grandchild.