Müzeyyen Senar facts for kids

Müzeyyen Senar (Turkish pronunciation: [myzejjen seˈnaɾ]; 16 July 1918 – 8 February 2015) was a very famous Turkish classical music singer. People often called her the "Diva of the Republic" because of her incredible voice and long career. She is remembered as one of the most important singers in Turkish history.

Early Life and Childhood

Müzeyyen Senar was born in 1918 in a village called Gököz, near Bursa, in what was then the Ottoman Empire. Her birth name was Zeliha Eren. Her mother, Zehra, loved to sing to her.

When Müzeyyen was five years old, she developed a stutter, which is a speech difficulty. However, this never affected her amazing singing voice. By the age of six, she knew many popular folk songs by heart. She would sing at family gatherings and weddings.

Starting Her Music Career

Müzeyyen Senar began her musical journey in 1931. She joined the "Anatolia Musical Association" in Üsküdar, Istanbul. There, she learned from talented musicians like Kemal Niyazi Seyhun and Hayriye.

She became well-known after she started performing on Radio Istanbul. In 1933, at just 15 years old, she performed on stage for the first time. She also released her first song on a record that same year. She made many more recordings with famous labels like His Master's Voice and Odeon Records.

Singing for Atatürk

Müzeyyen Senar's singing was greatly admired by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who founded the Turkish Republic. She often gave special concerts just for him.

In 1938, she moved to Ankara to sing at the new state-owned radio station. Later, in 1941, she returned to Istanbul to perform in popular nightclubs. In 1947, Müzeyyen Senar gave her first concert outside of Turkey, performing in Paris, France. She brought a new style to Turkish classical music with her unique voice.

She also acted in a few movies. In the 1940s, she played the main role in Kerem ile Aslı. She also appeared in Ana Yüreği and Sevgili Hocam in the 1960s. Her 1976 film, Analar Ölmez, told her own life story.

Müzeyyen Senar stopped performing regularly in 1983. Her last show was at a popular music hall in Bebek, Istanbul.

Later Life and Passing

In 2006, Müzeyyen Senar became unwell at her home in İzmir. She had some health challenges in her later years. In 2008, it was reported that she had lost her singing voice.

She passed away on 8 February 2015, at the age of 96, in İzmir. She was laid to rest in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery in Istanbul.

Awards and Recognition

In 1998, Müzeyyen Senar was offered the "State Artist Award," a very high honor in Turkey. However, she chose not to accept it.

In 2009, a special photo exhibition called "Müzeyyen Senar, the Diva of the Republic" was held in Ankara. This exhibition celebrated her life and music.

On 16 July 2018, Google honored her 100th birthday with a special Google Doodle, which is a temporary change to the Google logo.

Discography Highlights

Müzeyyen Senar released many albums throughout her long career. Some of her notable albums include Atatürk'ün Sevdiği Şarkılar (Songs Atatürk Loved) and Müzeyyen Senar ile Bir Ömre Bedel (A Lifetime with Müzeyyen Senar). Her music continues to be loved by many generations.

See also

In Spanish: Müzeyyen Senar para niños