|
Sevdalinka is a genre of folk music originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sevdalinka is the national music of Bosniaks, although it is popular across the former Yugoslav region, especially in Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia. Its roots reach back to the age of Ottoman Empire rule on the Balkan peninsula, but the actual composers of many sevdalinkas are unknown.
In a musical sense, sevdalinka is charactericized by a slow or moderate tempo and rich harmony, leaving a melancholic feeling with the listener. It is usually sung with a single male vocal, although female vocals are not uncommon. Usually, it is played by a small orchestra containing accordion, flute or clarinet, and/or a few string instruments, although in the past traditional instruments such as the saz were used as well. Its lyrics are ballads, usually devoted to falling in love or to unfortunate love -- the origin of the name is a Turkish word sevdah meaning "passion" or "lovesickness".
The most prominent performers (singers) of Sevdalinka in the 20th century are Himzo Polovina, Nedad Salković, Zaim Imamović, Safet Isović; the most famous female singer is Hanka Paldum.
Although sevdalinka is considered an essential part of Bosniak tradition, it is also popular among (and authored by) many Serbs; Nedeljko Bilkić, for example. The poem "Emina" by Bosnian Serb poet Aleksa antić is used as the lyrics for one of the famous sevdalinkas. Sevdalinka was also part of the basis for a 20th century genre called novokomponovana narodna muzika ("newly-composed folk music"), which mixed various folk influences from the Balkan region.
| 
