Mizah Kulübü begins its season with a nostalgic show: Turkish Shadow Theater Hacivad
Karagöz. Shadow theater was one of the most important forms of entertainment in the 19th
century. It used to be that every Ramadan night there was entertainment. After the evening
meal, everybody would run to watch Karagöz and Hacivad. First the light of the screen
would come up and the nareke (a kind of whistle) and tambourine would begin to play as
Hacivad entered singing and calling for Karagöz. Then of course, everybody would laugh.
When and how shadow theater became a part of Turkish culture is still a mystery but it is
known that its origins are in Asia. In addition, there are theories and rumors about how
Karagöz and Hacivad became a part of these plays. One of the best known theories is that
Hacivat and Karagöz were construction workers at Bursa Ulucami and because of their jokes
and antics, construction was delayed. For this, the emperor at the time, Sultan Orhan,
executed them. However, their dialogs remained to make people think while enjoying the
play.
In the 19th century Hacivat Karagöz plays were very popular. After the First World War
they lost their appeal, as cinema and modern drama became more attractive forms of
entertainment. As Mizah Kulübü we are inviting you to remember and appreciate Turkish
cultural values and entertainment.
The show will be on Wednesday, October 11 at 7 p.m., at FADA, in room FFB-22.
Visit our website for more information: http://mizah.clubd.bilkent.edu.tr
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