Turkish lyricist’s fresh song for Palestine, Kashmir

By Fatih Turkyilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – Noted Turkish poet and composer Tugray Evren’s new song to highlight Palestine and Kashmir issue was released last week.

The song titled We Will Never Betray is sung in Arabic and Urdu by Syrian singer Malek Noor and Pakistani singer Natasha Baig respectively.

Evren, who began his musical journey in 2013, said music plays an important part to make the world listen to the oppressed.

He has composed rap songs for English classes in Turkey, Egypt, Greece, the US, Bulgaria, Tunisia, and Bangladesh.

The lyricist said that he got interested in professional music after releasing his work called Children of Heaven to highlight the trauma of Syrian refugee children.

"My work Children of Heaven was first shared by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with children on April 23 coinciding National Sovereignty and Children's Day, and then with world leaders who were in Turkey for the World Humanitarian Summit,” said Evren.

Evren stated that the idea of composing a special song on eve of the International Solidarity Day of Palestine came from the Canada-based Kashmir Civitas Association.

The lyricist has many songs to his credit like Tell Me My Pretty Mother and My Beloved Turkey recalling July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.

His other compositions with political messages including The World is Bigger Than Five; Erdogan a Tall Man, Don’t Cry Jerusalem; Kashmir is My Name; Permanent Spring; and We Will Never Betray have been received well by music lovers.

He said that his work reached tens of thousands of people worldwide after it was shared on Twitter by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling party in Pakistan.

"Sometimes a song can evoke much more influence than dozens of academic articles,” said Evren, highlighting the impact of music on society.

* Writing by Merve Berker