Avara is:

Avara is a collective of musicians who have come together to explore a common interest in the various repertoires arising from Anatolian cultures.

The group's current focus is on the strongly rhythmic styles of Anatolian dance songs (halay) and the social and mystical music of the Alevi minstrel tradition.

Repertoire to be further explored by the group may include 1970s Anatolian Pop (Turk Psychedelic), Bektashi urban mystical music or 1980s socio-political ‘özgün’ songs.

The members are:

Paul Koerbin - baglama and voice

Phil Carroll - ney, mey and accordion

Philip Griffin - bass guitar

Andy Busuttil - percussion, winds and voice

LISTEN TO AVARA:

İnsan Olmaya Geldim and Duygular Dönüştü Söze

Both these songs are expressions of the Alevi spiritual path to true humanity.

The first is by the Elazığ dede (Alevi elder) and aşık (composer of songs) Nimri Dede (1909-1986) and the second by Aşık Hüdai (1940-2001) from Kahramanmaraş.

The musical arrangements for both pieces are by the virtuoso bağlama performer Arif Sağ.

Both songs note the role of the saz (bağlama) in the spiritual life of the true human being.

A translation of İnsan Olmaya Geldim can be found on Paul Koerbin’s blog https://koerbin.wordpress.com/2009/04/07/40/

Saza Niye Gelmedin

A folk song from the Elazığ region in eastern Turkey.

It uses the typical 10/8 rhythmic common for songs from this area.

The words lament a rendezvous and night tryst that never came to pass and plays on dual meanings of ‘saz’ as ‘lute’ and ‘reed bed’.