Known for his development of new methods of playing the bağlama, one of Turkey’s premier national instruments, Sağ shared his opinions on current affairs in Turkey. Saying he is unable to understand why some people are trying to turn Turkey into an unlivable country instead of maintaining peace and tolerance, Sağ commented: “Why should I be bothered about a woman wearing a headscarf? Why should I be discomfited by anyone who isn’t hurting me. If I’m not forcing anyone to go to a cemevi [Alevi house of worship], why should anyone be bothered by me? In order for Sunnis, Alevis and Armenians to be able to live together in peace in this country, those who are educated need to stop this state of affairs. Those with sound minds need to take the system off autopilot and hit the brakes. We need to pull ourselves together; we all have children -- let’s not turn our future into darkness. We need this country, and we’re all going to live in it together. There’s nowhere else for us to go.”
The musician also criticized the indignant attitudes exhibited by some politicians, saying political leaders must exercise restraint and good judgment when speaking. “To date, in this country that has been mismanaged, we haven’t been able to love one another. We have to get away from this chaos -- they shouldn’t say anything and everything when they get the microphone in their hands. … One should be careful when speaking. Everyone who seeks to have a hand in running this country should think before speaking,” he recommended.
Sağ was among the participants in a recent government-run Alevi workshop to address the concerns of the Alevi minority in Turkey. Speaking about Alevi affairs in Turkey, he emphasized that without the consent and active involvement of Alevis in any government initiative, there could be no success. Alevis have never made any requests amounting to something as grand as establishing a state, he noted, but instead have simple, basic human demands. “If you just take a look at Alevi sayings and their folk songs, you can see that they are people who are after a lifestyle of unity. We talk about peace, about fraternity. If the Alevi worldview had been listened to before, we wouldn’t have these problems that we do today,” he said.
As a product of 10 years of work with bağlama master Erdal Erzincan, Sağ published a book titled “Bağlama Metodu” (Bağlama Method). The book was a hit, a synthesis of both a guide for beginner learners of the bağlama and a treasure trove of advice on the relationship between the apprentice and the master musician. With the book’s publication, the bağlama also gained internationally recognized status as a Turkish instrument among musical authorities. The book is available in both Turkish and English. Sağ is a former deputy and is currently an instructor of the saz at the İstanbul Technical University’s State Conservatory of Turkish Classical Music.
