Farewell to the master artist... Edip Akbayram's funeral arrangements announced: His words in his final interview resurface...

The legendary name of Turkish music, Edip Akbayram, passed away on March 2 at the age of 75 at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, where he was receiving treatment.

The artist's final journey will take place today with ceremonies. In an interview he gave years ago, Edip Akbayram had said the following regarding his funeral ceremony:

"These are the thoughts that pass through the minds of my friends and loved ones who will bid me farewell on my final journey. Whether they send me off with applause, with flowers, or by doing nothing at all, that is an improvisation of that moment."

A farewell ceremony will be held for Edip Akbayram today at 11:00 AM at the Harbiye Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall. Following the ceremony, the master artist will be laid to rest at the Karacaahmet Cemetery after the funeral prayer to be held at Teşvikiye Mosque following the noon prayer.

WHO IS EDİP AKBAYRAM?

One of the most unique voices in Turkish music, Edip Akbayram was born in Gaziantep in 1950. He contracted polio when he was just 9 months old. His interest in music began at a young age; he started performing with an orchestra he formed during his high school years. He released his first record, "Kendim Ettim, Kendim Buldum," during those years.

He moved to Istanbul in 1968 to realize his musical dreams. In 1971, he participated in the Golden Microphone competition and won first place with "Kükredi Çimenler," which he composed from the verses of Aşık Veysel. He later reached large audiences with works such as "Aldırma Gönül," "Garip," and "Eşkıya Dünyaya Hükümdar Olmaz."

Although he was banned from appearing on TRT in the 1980s, he made a powerful return to music in the 1990s with the album "Türküler Yanmaz." Throughout his artistic career spanning over 50 years, Akbayram released more than 20 albums and over 15 singles, received countless awards, and secured his place among the unforgettable names of music.

In his private life, he married Ayten Akbayram in 1979. The couple has two children named Türkü and Ozan.