Bradar, the Kurdish troubadour, sings out

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Kurdish troubadour and singer Bradar has moved back to Kurdistan after decades in exile. In this interview with Rudaw, he says exile has had a disturbing impact on his career and many other prominent Kurds in Europe.
 
“Exile in Europe devastated our art, culture and traditions without us knowing it,” he says.
 
Bradar spoke with Rudaw’s Hiwa Salah about his early involvement with politics and political activities.
 
 
Rudaw: You have said in the past that you had a very unhappy childhood; can you tell us a bit about it?
 
Bradar: I was born in a very poor family in the village of Mosika, which is near Mardin city in northern Kurdistan. My father had four wives. My mother was his last wife. We were maybe the poorest family in the village, but my father was well known for his fine voice. We were seven children at home. It was an unhappy time because of poverty, war and displacement.
 
So you mean that you inherited your singing?
 
I think so. My father had a distinguished voice. He knew most Kurdish folk songs and stories. I used to listen to him carefully when he sang and learned a lot. For me, he was a school.
 
Do you remember your first song?
 
My first song was about Barzani. It was called “Rise up Kurds, we are late. War and fight in Barzan Mountain wait.” Our songs were often political because we were told about Kurdish and Barzani revolts in the early childhood.
 
Is it true that you were imprisoned because of an audiotape?
 
Yes, I was. Our school principal once pulled my ear and said sarcastically ‘You’re a good student. Why ruin it by bringing a cassette into your classroom? Who taught you to be so patriotic?’ Apparently, some Turkish nationalists had reported me to the principal and he called the police and I ended up in prison for three and half months.   
 
How come you decided to migrate to Europe?
 
I was imprisoned a couple of times for being a communist with Kurdish political affiliations. And after the September 12 coup (1973), we thought that life was increasingly difficult in Turkey and decided to leave. Initially, me and some young friends of mine quit school all together. Then we decided to head for Europe. But my agonies just grew more in Europe. Europe was devastating for many prominent Kurds who found themselves in a state of complete exile. They were abandoned by everyone including their own families. Exile in Europe devastated our art, culture and traditions without us knowing it. We were engaged in singing and music, that’s why we were able to preserve our language and culture. I must say I owe a lot to my Saz.
 
And then you decided to return to Kurdistan and settle in Erbil?
 
I was in exile for 28 years. I returned because my Kurdistan needs us more than ever. Although we are artists, we are not particularly good at war and fighting and couldn’t even kill a chicken. But we can boost the morale among our Peshmerga with our art.
 
How did you enter the world of art?
 
In fact, I never planned to sing before prison, although I had a keen interest in singing and playing the Saz. But I decided to dedicate myself to singing after prison. The day I was released from prison in Wan, the children in our village gathered and I sang for them. And then I started to sing as a profession after that.
 
Is Bradar (Brother) your real name or artistic name?
 
I was not affiliated with any political party before prison, but after that I got involved with a Kurdish party. Yousef Batoori, who was a member of that party, came to me. He announced that I was imprisoned for my political views, and then people came and visited me at the prison. Most of them just had heard about me and did not know me really. I got more involved politically and became a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Turkey. I was called by the name ‘Comrade Brother’ to protect my identity. And, even after prison, I was called by that name. But when I arrived in Europe and released an album I changed my name to Bradar.
 
If you were not an artist, what profession would you like to have instead?
 
God created me only to do artistic work. I only love art, but I was a farmer before and worked even in the construction business and carpentry. I have also acted for a while, but singing and Saz are my soul that I cannot be without.
 
Who is you favorite singer?
 
I live Shakro’s voice. I listen to Izzat Dino and Mahmoud Hassi too.
 
When you see your grey beard and hair in the mirror, what do you think about?
 
Indeed, it’s heartbreaking, especially that you know that you are heading towards the end and were not able to finish what you planned. But I love my aging and my grey hair. I like old people a lot.