Ikliğ

The ıklığ is a traditional instrument of Turkey that was played in Central Asia even before the saz and the tambourine. Its history is lost in the depths of time, and it is considered a forerunner of the kabak kemane. In its original form it had a small, boat-shaped body, a long walnut neck and only two strings of goat gut.

It is played with a bow made of walnut or spruce and horse hair.

Because of the popularity of the kabak kemane, the ıklığ fell out of use for a very long time and was forgotten by musicians and instrument makers.

In the mid-1990s it was revived in Istanbul by the instrument maker Haydar Karlı, who "modernised" it and brought it back into use. He is considered one of the best and most creative craftsmen of his generation.

Today the ıklığ is played in Turkey and beyond, from small groups to large traditional and classical orchestras.