Story
A Turkish folk song reimagined as an instrumental dialogue between sitar and bendir, recorded live on the banks of the Ganga.
"Katibim (Uskudar)" is a Turkish folk song, performed here as an instrumental dialogue between sitar and bendir, recorded live on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh.
This recording was made in March 2020, just as India entered lockdown with only two days' notice. Like many others, we found ourselves unable to continue our journey to the Himalayas. Instead, we stayed in a small village outside Rishikesh, surrounded by springs, quiet rivers, and long days of stillness.
There our paths crossed.
Ruma arrived with a deep Sufi presence, moving through life with surrender, softness, and inner strength. Coming from Turkey and Israel, two cultures carrying heavy histories and tensions, our meeting was filled not with politics, but with gentleness and with a shared belief that music can dissolve separation where words fail.
When we arrived at the Ganga, the riverbank was crowded and loud. Unsure what to do, Ruma suggested simply letting go and playing. As soon as the sitar began, the surrounding music stopped, people fell silent, and the crowd became a listening circle.
This recording is also dedicated to Deger Deniz, a musician and radiant soul whose memory continues to travel through music, light, and friendship.
