Abstract:

Ceyhun Atuf Kansu, who started to make his name in 1940s, was influenced from folk poetry for a while. Although he occasionally came close to the poetry in his era, he pursued his own way in his art. Converging to socio-realism or Garip movement with his thoughts, views in his poetry and writings, Ceyhun Atuf is an artist who prioritizes the people, and integrates the reality of Turkey with Anatolian essence. Contrary to most of his contemporaries, he attains a peculiar place with his attitude to live and write in Anatolia and by penetrating Anatolia. Being close to Anatolia enables him being closely acquainted with the values of folk culture. Especially, the ones that he calls as “Anadolu Erenleri” (Wisemen in Anatolia) have much influence on him. This influence makes itself clear in the creation of his art and will for struggle. Ceyhun Atuf Kansu, who turns these heroes into folk heroes in his poetry by pushing the limits of time and space, brings ideal heroes into being by integrating himself with these names that he attributes different roles and tasks. In his poetry, he appears to be a defender of freedom, equality and human rights sometimes as Yunus Emre, sometimes as Pir Sultan, and sometimes as Karacaoğlan, Hacı Bayram-ı Veli, Hacı Bektaş Veli, Ferhat, Dadaloğlu or Köroğlu. He figures the usual themes by the help of these heroes, but in a new form and different style. Subjects that seem as borrowed and misplaced in most of the artists since the first years of Turkish Republic, become a part of his poetry, as he states, with the strength from folk heroes. The main goal of Ceyhun Atuf is to construct the man who deals with the realities of the country, and thus to serve to humankind