Yara
“Yara” (Wound) is a song that is deeply rooted in the universal wounds that reside within the human soul. In this poignant portrayal, the wound manifests as an unattainable love, stemming from the profound inadequacy of an aspiring lover. This lack of proficiency extends its reach across various aspects of life, as the individual grapples with feelings of alienation, a perpetual journey without tangible achievements, and the pervasive shadow of unrequited love. Towards the end of the song, a reference is made to the famous line of Iranian poet Forugh Farrokhzad, ” Keep the flight in mind, The bird may die” The song adapts these verses, with concluding “The skin is death, I know the wound”, portraying wounds as a phenomenon that persists even beyond the physical existence. “Yara” is inspired by the poignant verses of Yusuf Turhalli’s poem with the same title. For this project, Neval and Yusuf Turhalli, siblings with a rich history of collaboration on various projects such as Terelelli, Her Anlamlı Şarkı, Taş Avlu, Sahi, and Masal, have come together once again to craft this piece. While the song serves as a milestone in their creative journey, marking a new chapter in their collaborative exploration of music; it turns into a ballad of unrecruited love through Neval’s commitment to conveying meaningful messages with a perfect complement in the poetic expressions of Yusuf Turhalli.
Taş Avlu
Some loves are scripted, some instinctively flourish under skin, some face walls of startling complexities. Neval’s traveling voice coils through their stories with spark; the poetic verses she brings to song in Tas Avlu impart tales of loves so grand they seem out of reach, but can be transcended with hope, spirit and promise. Her words tumble, twist and turn through electronic serpentine roads, assembled by Ukrainian musician Yuri Ryadchenko. His multi-instrumental palette wills to bridge Occident and Orient through tradition and surprise. Neval’s ode sets off in Diyarbakır, in the whispering nooks of an old Taş Avlu – “stone yard” – house. The words she weaves connect different eras, those of contemporary Kurdish poet Yusuf Turhallı, 20th Century Andalusian poet Federico Garcia Lorca and Sufi wordsmith Yunus Emre, who lived in Anatolia in the 13th Century. Through creation, collection, and enlivening poetry, Neval sets out to constructs new meanings and prompt active reflection. This wandering artist has always sought to tell stories through sound and image, nurturing love for the spheres of Turkish classical music and cinematic art. / Lola Baraldi
NEVAL 