Written by: Muhammad Umar Farooq
Posted on: April 20, 2022 | 
| 中文
Dirilis Ertugrul
The growing popularity of Turkish TV serials is a reflection of the increasing soft power of Turkey in Pakistan. It all began in 2020 when the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, ordered Pakistan Television Network (PTV) to broadcast an Urdu-dubbed version of the Turkish Drama, Diriliş: Ertuğrul (Resurrection: Ertugrul). Mr. Khan termed it as a must-watch series, which "instills a spirit of sacrifice, honor, valor and sincerity in the parents so that they can raise their children in line with true Islamic values." This drama's popularity was unrivaled, and since then, many Pakistanis have begun to watch other Turkish television serials like Kurulus Osman, Paytaht Abdul Hamid II and Yunus Emre. Besides Pakistan Television and Geo TV, these dramas are available with Urdu dubbing on various websites, including Giveme5, Kayi Family, Osman online, Urdu Bolo amongst others.
Mehmet Bozdag's Turkish historical fiction and adventure television series Resurrection: Ertugrul is produced by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). It has 150 episodes, each of which is 2.5 hours long. The series follows the life of Ertugrul Gazi, the son of Turkish tribe chieftain Suleman Shah, and recounts events in the Seljuk Empire's eastern flank during the reign of Alā ad-Dīn Kayqubād bin Kaykhusraw (1220 to 1237 A.D). After being sworn in as the leader of a principality by the Sultan, Ertugrul, the main character, gathers the Turkish tribes and fights the Crusaders, Mongols, Knights Templars and traitors within the tribe. Because this drama was aired on PTV, the actors involved in this drama have become household names in Pakistan, many of whom have appeared on TV ads in Pakistan. Most prominent amongst them are Esra Bilgiç (who played Halime Hatun) and Engin Altan Düzyatan (Ertuğrul Bey).
Engin Altan Düzyatan as Ertuğrul Bey.
The series is the ideal way to learn about old Turkish culture, language, religion, food, and clothing, as well as the nation's aspiration to achieve 'kırmızı elma', meaning 'red apple'. Red Apple is the Turkish metaphor for worldwide dominance through the founding of the Turkish State. After Ertugrul's death, his son, Osman Gazi, became leader of the Kayi tribe.
Mehmet Bozdag, in collaboration with ATV, has also produced 90 episodes of the drama 'Kuruluş: Osman', which centers around the life of Osman, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Osman established the Ottoman Empire in 1299, which ruled much of the south-eastern Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa until 1922. Kurulus Osman is currently being aired on Geo Television.
Kuruluş Osman
The series' background music, particularly Jeneric Muzigi, Otag, Aykaz Muzigi and Dodurga Muzigi, is often played at Pakistani weddings. The producer has portrayed traditional Turkish marriages in various episodes of the play. On Twitter last year, a wedding of a Pakistani couple dressed in Turkish garb with Turkish music playing in the background was trending.
Burak Özçivit as Osman Bey and Yıldız Çağrı Atiksoy as Malhun Hatun in Kurlus Osman
Payitaht: Abdülhamid is yet another Turkish series directed by Serdar Akar, Emre Konuk, Doan Ümit Karaca and Evki Es, and written by Osman Bodur and Uur Uzunok. It depicts the reign of the 34th Ottoman Sultan, Abdul Hamid II. Bülent Inal played the role of Abdul Hamid II. The series depicts significant historical events such as the Ottoman-Greek War (February 1897 – December 1897), the 1st Zionist Congress (August 29, 1897 – August 31, 1897), and the Ottoman Empire's construction of the Hejaz railway (finished in 1908), telegraph lines and factories. Jenerik Müzii, Plevne Marş, Dusman Kapmzda and Buras Payitaht are some of the more popular music tracks from the series. The series also features traditional Ottoman costumes. The Fez (hat), which is red in color, was worn by all Ottomans, including by the Sultan himself, as a prominent component of their attire. Pakistan Television is airing this series these days.
Poster of Payitaht Abdülhamid
The series also portrays the loyalty of Indian Muslims to Sultan Abdul Hamid II, whenever the Empire required it. When their 'Caliph' launched the construction of the Hejaz Railway, for example, Indian Muslims gave him generous donations. When it became clear that the Ottoman Empire was likely to fall apart, Muslims in the subcontinent launched the 'Khilafat Movement (1919-1924),' led by the two brothers Maulanas Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. Indian Muslims saw the Ottoman Sultan as a symbol of Muslim unity, and as a result, they protested against the British’s plans of dismembering of the Ottoman Empire.
The cast of Payitaht Abdülhamid
Yunus Emre: Aşkn Yolculuu, directed by Mehmet Bozdag, tells the story of Yunus Emre, a 13th-century Turkish Sufi Poet who foregoes his job as a judge in Nalihan, Anatolia, in order to follow in the footsteps of his mentor (Sheikh) Tapduk Emre. The character of Yunus Emre was played by Yusuf Gökhan Atalay. He faces numerous challenges along the way, which he shares with his companions (Pirs). Soon after Dirilis Ertugrul, Pakistan Television began airing this series. Yunus Emre's poetry, Sheikh Tapduk Emre's religious teachings, captivating music and classic Turkish cuisine and costume depicted in the series have made it popular among Pakistani audiences.
Poster of Yunus Emre
There seems to be an intense yearning amongst Pakistanis for a golden period of Muslim history, which the Turkish historical serials seem to have filled. It is unfortunate that the Pakistani serials have not taken a cue from their popularity and been inspired to create dramas about our own glorious past, an example being the Mughal Empire and heroes like Tipu Sultan.
Yunus Emre
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