The Republic of Love: Cultural Intimacy in Turkish Popular Music (Chicago Studies in Ethnomusicology)

At the heart of The Republic of Love are the voices of three musicians—queer nightclub star Zeki Müren, arabesk originator Orhan Gencebay, and pop diva Sezen Aksu—who collectively have dominated mass media in Turkey since the early 1950s. Their fame and ubiquity have made them national icons—but, Martin Stokes here contends, they do not represent the official version of Turkish identity propagated by anthems or flags; instead they evoke a much more intimate and ambivalent conception of Turkishness. Using these three singers as a lens, Stokes examines Turkey's repressive politics and civil violence as well as its uncommonly vibrant public life in which music, art, literature, sports, and journalism have flourished. However, Stokes's primary concern is how Müren, Gencebay, and Aksu's music and careers can be understood in light of theories of cultural intimacy. In particular, he considers their contributions to the development of a Turkish concept of love, analyzing the ways these singers explore the private matters of intimacy, affection, and sentiment on the public stage. At the heart of The Republic of Love are the voices of three musicians -- queer nightclub star Zeki Muren, arabesk originator Orhan Gencebay, and pop diva Sezen Aksu -- who collectively have dominated mass media in Turkey since the early 1950s. Their fame and ubiquity have made them national icons -- but, Martin Stokes here contends, they do not represent the official version of Turkish identity propagated by anthems or flags; instead they evoke a much more intimate and ambivalent conception of Turkishness. Using these three singers as a lens, Stokes examines Turkeyʹs repressive politics and civil violence as well as its uncommonly vibrant public life in which music, art, literature, sports, and journalism have flourished. However, Stokesʹs primary concern is how Muren, Gencebay, and Aksuʹs music and careers can be understood in light of theories of cultural intimacy. In particular, he considers their contributions to the development of a Turkish concept of love, analyzing the ways these singers explore the private matters of intimacy, affection, and sentiment on the public stage. -- Publisher description At the heart of "The Republic of Love" are the voices of three musicians - queer nightclub star Zeki Muren, arabesk originator Orhan Gencebay, and pop diva Sezen Aksu - who collectively have dominated mass media in Turkey since the early 1950s. Their fame and ubiquity have made them national icons - but, Martin Stokes here contends, they do not represent the official version of Turkish identity propagated by anthems or flags; instead, they evoke a much more intimate and ambivalent conception of Turkishness. Using these three singers as a lens, Stokes examines Turkey's repressive politics and civil violence as well as its uncommonly vibrant public life, in which music, art, literature, sports, and journalism have flourished. However, Stokes's primary concern is how the music and careers of Muren, Gencebay, and Aksu can be understood in light of theories of cultural intimacy. In particular, he considers their contributions to the development of a Turkish concept of love, analyzing the ways these singers explore the private matters of intimacy, affection, and sentiment on the public stage Focusing On Three Entertainers Who Have Become National Icons Martin Stokes Offers A Portrait Of Turkish Identity That Is Very Different From The Official Version Of Anthems And Flags. In Particular, He Discusses How A Turkish Concept Of Love Has Been Developed Through The Work Of The Singers And The Public Reaction To Them. Zeki Müren: Sun Of Art, Ideal Citizen -- The Affectionate Modernism Of Orhan Gencebay -- Why Cry? Sezen Aksu's Diva Citizenship -- Three Versions Of Beloved Istanbul. Martin Stokes. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Note on Orthography, Notational Conventions, and Names......Page 14 List of Illustrations......Page 18 1. Introduction......Page 20 2. Zeki Müren: Sun of Art, Ideal Citizen......Page 54 3. The Affectionate Modernism of Orhan Gencebay......Page 92 4. Why Cry? Sezen Aksu’s Diva Citizenship......Page 126 5. Three Versions of “Beloved Istanbul”......Page 166 6. Conclusion......Page 208 Sources......Page 214 Index......Page 232 University Of Chicago Press Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Note on Orthography, Notational Conventions, and Names 14 List of Illustrations 18 1. Introduction 20 2. Zeki Müren: Sun of Art, Ideal Citizen 54 3. The Affectionate Modernism of Orhan Gencebay 92 4. Why Cry? Sezen Aksu’s Diva Citizenship 126 5. Three Versions of “Beloved Istanbul” 166 6. Conclusion 208 Sources 214 Index 232 0226775062,9780226775067,0226775054,9780226775050