Ruhi Su

**Ruhi Su** was a legendary Turkish folk singer, composer, and saz virtuoso who became a cultural icon through his passionate blend of traditional Anatolian music and social activism. Born in 1912 in Van, Turkey, he initially trained in opera before dedicating his life to folk traditions, mastering the saz (a long-necked lute) and breathing new life into centuries-old Turkish melodies. His music often centered on themes of social justice, workers’ rights, and Anatolian identity, drawing from Alevi spiritual traditions, zeybek folk dances, and epic poems like the *Kuvayi Milliye Destanı* (celebrating Turkey’s independence struggle).

A vocal leftist, Ruhi Su faced frequent political persecution, including imprisonment, which inspired raw, defiant albums like *Seçmeler Ve Hapisane Türküleri* (“Selected and Prison Ballads”). His live performances, such as the *Kadıköy Tiyatrosu Konseri*, were legendary for their emotional intensity, while recordings like *Semahlar* and *Zeybekler* preserved rituals and regional styles threatened by modernization. Even after his death in 1985, his music remains a rallying cry for equality, bridging ancient Anatolian roots and modern struggles with timeless resonance.

Genres

Karadeniz Folk

Anatolian Rock

Latest Release

Beni Ağlatırsan Yoluna Ağlat

Ruhi Su

Album - 12 Tracks - Released November 12, 2003