Zehra Bilir

Zehra Bilir — Biography

Zehra Bilir (born Eliza Ölçüyan; March 26, 1913, in Arapgir – June 28, 2007, in Istanbul) was a Turkish folk singer of Armenian descent, affectionately known as Türkü Ana ("Mother of Folk Songs"). Born in the Arapgir district of the former Mamuretülaziz Province, she later said in an interview that her biological father had died during the First World War when she was only about a year and a half old, and that although her registered name was Armenian, she considered herself Turkish and Muslim.

Bilir first appeared on stage as a ballet dancer at the Darülbedayi theatre in the 1930s; recognizing her musical talent, she went on to study under the composer and kanun virtuoso Artaki Candan and the musicologist Hüseyin Sadeddin Arel. She became known through her radio performances of folk songs starting in 1943, and the following year she became the first artist to perform Turkish folk songs live on stage. Appearing in regional dress such as şalvar trousers and çarık sandals, waving a handkerchief as she sang, and interpreting each song with the authentic character of its region of origin, she became one of the best-known folk performers of her era, while also contributing to Turkish folk culture through numerous song compilations.

She retired from active performing in 1952, leaving behind many recordings. Bilir spent her final years living in a nursing home in Istanbul and died there on June 28, 2007, at the age of 94; after funeral prayers at Zincirlikuyu Mosque, she was buried at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.