Kani Karaca

Kani Karaca — Biography

Kani Karaca was born in 1930 in the village of Karataş in Adana province. He lost his sight in an accident when he was only two months old, and completed his hafiz training as a child in his home village.

After settling in Istanbul in 1950, he studied under some of the era's leading teachers of religious music, became known for his broad command of makams, and appeared on various radio programs during the 1950s. He came to be regarded as the last great representative of the Istanbul Quranic recitation tradition, gained recognition both in Turkey and abroad, and was invited every year to the Mevlana Rumi memorial ceremonies.

Karaca, who was married and had children, died of cancer on 29 May 2004 at his home in Istanbul's Fatih district. Following funeral prayers at Fatih Mosque, he was buried at Edirnekapı Cemetery. He continues to be remembered through exhibitions and memorial concerts held in his name.