Issa Muhamad: an artist on his mentor's footsteps

MURADA KENDA-BERITAN MADOUSA/ QAMISHLO

Opinions differ on the definition of music, and Issa sees "music" as a close friend. Mohammed learned to play the Bezek instrument "Tambour" and sing at the age of fifteen. Issa took the art of the late Kurdish artist Mohammed Sheikho basis to learn music and sing, and attached to the music through his attachment and love to playing and performance of Mohammed Sheikho.

Issa said that at the age of 15, he collected a sum of money with one of his friends, bought the Bezek instrument to learn how to play it, and slowly learned to play Bezek and other musical instruments. After mastering the music, he participated by playing in the weddings to the people.

"The influence of Mohammed Sheikho made me rise to the level of mastery of art and music. When I began to play musical instruments, I felt that my soul was moving to another world and was influenced by the sensation of music, and the recognition of Mohammed Sheikho was a great opportunity for me, because he was always trying to teach young people to learn the spirit of music.

Issa said he would not forget a phrase that Mohammed Sheikho said, "Do not leave art and continue to revive Kurdish songs." So far, Issa has taken this sentence as a basis.

Issa opened a shop selling musical instruments such as Bezek, Oud, Guitar, flute, tambourine and others to spread art in the community, since 25 years, in Qamishlo city, Issa has bought the instruments from the Syrian capital Damascus and sells them in Qamishlo.

Issa has three boys and two girls who shared him love for music, and at the same time teaches his children to play musical instruments. He says they have not had the opportunity to buy the instruments 35 years ago. "Now all our homes have musical instruments, and our young people learn to play, which gives me happiness and morale."

According to Issa, "if music does not exist, feelings are not present in the human being". "Music is an expression of the peoples' culture, and music is life itself," he said. "When my feelings stir, I play on the Bezek and express my feelings through it. I and the Bezek instrument became friends, and we live together 24 hours continuously, until it became a part of my entity."

Issa confirmed that he teaches his children to preserve Kurdish art and culture and to deal with musical instruments as an object with a spirit and sense.

H/S

ANHA