In Costume and Song: Ruken’s Theatrical Revival of Kurdish Political Allegory

By The Arts & Culture Desk | Botan Times | botantimes.com | April 9, 2025

In the opening scene of Kurdish singer Ruken’s latest music video, performers in elaborate rooster and hen costumes move energetically across a dramatically lit stage. The atmosphere is charged with tension as the narrative unfolds – a story of resistance, autonomy, and the universal desire for freedom.

A Theatrical Revolution in Sound and Imagery

Ruken’s “Serxwebûna Mirîşkan” (“Freedom of the Hens”) transforms a poem by the influential Kurdish poet Cegerxwîn (1903-1984) into a multimedia experience that blends traditional themes with contemporary musical sensibilities. The politically charged allegory, in which roosters and hens stand in for oppressed peoples seeking independence, has found new life in this ambitious production released under Istanbul’s Contrapol Records.

The video, directed by Berk Kuruçay, features performers Damla Durman, Metehan Kayan, Senay Arslan, and Umut Sevgül embodying the animal characters in a stylized theatrical presentation. Their movements, choreographed by movement coach Gülce Oral Korkmaz, precisely match the rhythmic intensity of the music.

Bridging Cultural Divides Through Music

The musical composition by Nurhak Kılagöz merges electronic elements with traditional instrumentation, creating a distinctive sound that feels both rooted in Kurdish musical traditions and accessible to contemporary global audiences. Cem Özel’s production incorporates electric guitar and bass alongside Ahmet Ayzit’s bağlama (a traditional stringed instrument), while Florian Gouello’s percussion drives the song’s insistent rhythm.

The multilingual lyrics, which include passages in Kurdish, Turkish, and Arabic, reflect the complex cultural landscape of the region. When a rooster character asks in Turkish, “Olan sen nerelîsin?” (“Where are you from?”), and receives the reply in Kurdish, “Em xelkê Bedlîs in” (“We are people from Bitlis”), the exchange highlights linguistic tensions that have long characterized the region.

An Allegory for Modern Times

At its core, “Serxwebûna Mirîşkan” tells the story of a “wise rooster” who approaches other roosters to discuss independence. When confronted by a hawk who claims authority as “the pasha, the prince, the world-conquering king,” the rooster stands firm in demanding autonomy.

While the original poem by Cegerxwîn emerged from a specific historical and political context, Ruken’s contemporary interpretation resonates with modern struggles for self-determination worldwide. The high-energy musical arrangement, with its driving beat and dramatic shifts, underscores the urgency of the message.

“The brilliance of this production is how it takes a regionally specific allegory and makes it universally relatable,” notes music producer Leyla Kandemir. “Even if you don’t understand the languages or the specific cultural references, the emotional impact of the performance communicates across barriers.”

Technical Excellence

The production values of “Serxwebûna Mirîşkan” represent the growing sophistication of Turkey’s independent music scene. Cinematographer Mehmet Akif Budak captures the theatrical performance with dynamic camera movements, while Ercan Küçük’s color grading creates a rich visual palette that enhances the costumes designed by Bedirhan Taşçı.

Art director Mehmet Baytur’s set design creates a minimalist but powerful backdrop for the performers, allowing the costume work and choreography to take center stage. The final production, mixed by Baran Göksu and mastered by Emre Malikler, achieves a polished sound that balances clarity with richness.

Conclusion: A Cultural Bridge

With “Serxwebûna Mirîşkan,” Ruken has accomplished something remarkable: taking a politically charged poem from Kurdish literary tradition and transforming it into a contemporary artistic statement with potential appeal beyond regional audiences. The production serves as a reminder that artistic expression can transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries, particularly when universal themes like freedom and self-determination are at its core.

As minority languages and cultures continue to assert their place in the global cultural landscape, productions like this demonstrate how traditional literary works can find new relevance through creative reinterpretation. For international audiences encountering Kurdish culture for the first time, Ruken’s “Serxwebûna Mirîşkan” offers an accessible and engaging entry point.

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