Sevdalinka

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Sevdalinka is a traditional genre of folk music originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In many cases, sevdalinka is called simply sevdah.

Sevdalinka is the national music of Bosnia, but it is popular across the former Yugoslav region, especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. Its roots reach back to the age of Ottoman Empire rule on the Balkan peninsula, but the actual composers of many sevdalinkas are unknown.

In musical sense, sevdalinka is charactericized by a slow or moderate tempo and rich harmony, leaving a melancholic feeling with the listener. Sevdalinka songs are very elaborate, emotionally charged and are traditionally sung with passion and fervor. The combination of Oriental, European and Sephardic elements make this type of music stand out among other types of folk music from the Balkans. The singer will often impose the rhythm and tempo of the song, both of which can vary throughout the song. Traditionally, sevdalinkas are women's songs, most addressing the issue of women's and love and longing, unfulfilled and unfortunate love, some touch on a woman's physical desire for her loved one, and some have comic elements. The origin of the name is a Turkish word sevda meaning "love". Currently they are often performed by men as well. Traditionally, they were played without any instruments, hence the elaborate harmony. Modern interpretations are followed by a small orchestra containing accordion (the most prominent), violin, nylon-string guitars and/or other string instruments (occasionally), flute or clarinet (occasionally), upright bass, snare drum. In between the verses, an accordion or violin solo can almost always be heard.

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[edit] Performers

The most prominent performers (singers) of sevdalinka in the 20th century are Zaim Imamović, Slobodan Lalic, Vuka Seherovic,Sofka Nikolic,Mijat Mijatovic,Bora Janjic, Nedeljko Bilkic, Himzo Polovina, Milutin Stojanovic, Meho Puzić, Safet Isović, Nedžad Salković, Silvana Armenulić, Zehra Dedović, Zora Dubljevic, Ksenija Cicvaric, Nada Mamula, Hanka Paldum, Vida Pavlovic, Beba Selimović, Radmila Jagodic, Andjelija Milic and Emina Zečaj.

Although sang mainly by traditional Bosnian singers, sevdalinka has made its way to many "mainstream" musicians. Sevdalinkas were re-recorded by Josipa Lisac (she recorded Safet Isović song "Omer Beže"), Bijelo Dugme ("Da zna zora"), Ibrica Jusić (he recorded a whole album of sevdalinkas in 2003 named "Amanet", and in 2008. called Amanet 2), Jadranka Stojaković and Zdravko Čolić or taken as a basis for few songs by Johnny Štulić (his band Azra was named after a verse from a sevdalinka song).

In 1990s a band Mostar Sevdah Reunion was assembled in Mostar and in early 2000s they became widely popular on world music scene receiving high awards for their lively interpretations of sevdalinkas and introducing many people outside Bosnia to sevdalinka.

[edit] Origins

The origins of sevdalinka are not known for certain, though it is known to date from sometime after the arrival of the Turks in medieval Balkans. The word itself comes from the Turkish sevdah which derives from the Arabic word sawdah (meaning ecstasy, desire or love), which at one point was used by doctors to describe black bile, a substance purported to control human feelings and emotions [1]. That word was brought to Bosnia by Turks and today it is also a Bosnian word meaning love, caressing, longing (for loved one), and which are main themes of sevdalinka lyrics. Thus the habit of people of Bosnia to use evenly words "sevdalinka" and "sevdah" for this genre of folk music, although word "sevdah" can also be used in other meanings.

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[edit] References

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Balkan music