Okan Murat Öztürk

Okan Murat Öztürk — Biography

Born in 1967 in Ankara, Okan Murat Öztürk is a bağlama virtuoso and musicologist specializing in traditional Anatolian music. He began his career as a professional bağlama performer, working with the Ministry of Culture Choir and at TRT, where he helped bring the Anatolian folk repertoire to the stage.

In 1988 he founded the Bengi Bağlama Trio, performing at festivals across the country and giving concerts both as a soloist and as a member of the ensemble, including appearances abroad. Öztürk's work has gone beyond performance: he has also conducted theoretical research into the playing technique and musical structure of the bağlama, combining a stage career with scholarly study and contributing to the international recognition of Turkish folk music.