Zeki Müren was a prominent Turkish classical singer, composer and actor from 60s to 90’s. With his flamboyant clothes, heavy makeup, stage presence, gestures and well-delivered speeches, he is one of the most influential figures in Turkey’s musical history and still one of the country’s strongest icons.

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Curated by music writer and researcher Derya Bengi, the exhibition “İşte Benim Zeki Müren (Here am I, Zeki Müren)” brings together never-before-seen details of the artist’s life through photographs, artwork, clothes, records, books and notes. The exhibition is at Yapı Kredi Culture Center until December 20.  

Pop music journalist Murat Meriç spoke with Derya Bengi in depth about Zeki Müren and how this exhibition came to be.

Here’s a brief introduction to the interview, the full version will be in the next issue.

Zeki Müren never actually hides himself. Yet at the same time it feels like he has hidden sides. Is this the “unknown” Zeki Müren in this exhibition?
My only claim could be that this exhibition is about remembering the forgotten Zeki Müren. Maybe there is something like the “unknown” Zeki Müren, but we have not gone after the secrets and mysteries. We didn’t run into shocking things. But each photograph we came across was more than pleasant, amazing and made us smile. Quite simply I think Zeki Müren is forgotten. The new generation only remembers him as the kitsch old parrot that lived in the 80s. It is as if he didn’t live through and influence the 50’s and the 60’s. We went back and wanted to start this journey from the very beginning and remind it to those who forgot it, as well as exhibiting some notion of history to the ones who don’t know about it.

Hasn't Zeki Müren always been a very available person, even when he was a star? He seems way too far from celebrities of today.
You know the beach he goes to, his house, the café and the bar he hangs out… Even his phone number is known and usually he picks up the phone. There’s no such thing as management system. There’s a friendship between him and journalists.

This has no doubt contributed why he is so loved by everyone, right?
It has. But as far as I understand he doesn’t come into contact with everyone. He speaks to people who know they are speaking to a star. I don’t think you could recklessly talk to him… People must have seriously called Zeki Müren “Paşam” (Pasha). That’s why this word stuck. It’s like commandership in a way. A sympathetic superior-subordinate communication! That’s the pleasure of communicating with Zeki Müren. You will truly approach him as “Paşam” so you can enjoy his conversation. I don’t know for myself, if I could say “Paşam”.