Evcara Saz Semai - Dilhayat Kalfa - 18th Century Turkish Music

"Evcara Saz Semaisi" is a composition attributed to Dilhayat Kalfa, an Ottoman Empire composer who is considered to be the first Muslim woman composer in the Ottoman Empire. The composition is in the Evcara makam (mode), a style of Turkish classical music, and the usul (rhythm) used is Aksak Semai It is said that she is the one who first inspired the famous makam Evcara, in which she composed two notable compositions. The composition is a type of instrumental music called Saz Semai. Variety of instruments including ney, kemence, kanun and tanbur are used in the performance. It is one of Dilhayat Kalfa's most well-known works. Dilhayat Kalfa was an Ottoman-Turkish composer who lived in the 18th century. She is considered to be the first Muslim woman composer in the Ottoman Empire. Her works are still celebrated today. It is not known where she was born or where she is buried. Some sources suggest she served as a palace singer and was given the title of "Kalfa."