In 1957, Ciguli was born in Haskovo (Hasköy), Bulgaria. His real name is Ahmet Hüseyinoğlu. Due to a name ban imposed by the Bulgarian government in the 1980s on citizens of non-Bulgarian origin, his official records also listed his name as Anguel Jordanov Capsov.

The artist, who identifies himself in identity declarations as “a Turk born and raised in Bulgaria,” has clearly answered the question “Are you a Gypsy?” with “No.” Throughout his life, Ciguli has said that his most loyal companion has been the accordion, which he refers to as “my most faithful friend.”

Life

He turned to music at an early age. When he began playing the accordion he acquired at age eleven with extraordinary speed and skill, his friends gave him the nickname “Ciguli,” after the popular Soviet-made fast car of that era in Eastern Bloc countries. From age thirteen he became known by performing at weddings across Bulgaria; he also played the organ, synthesizer, and drums. In 1974 he married Ayten Hanım, with whom he had two sons named Ibrahim and Ferdi. Despite living in poverty, he continued his career in music to support his family.

In the late 1990s, with the support of his brother, he moved to Türkiye and began performing in gazinos and taverns in Kumkapı. While performing under difficult conditions, he regularly sent money to his wife and children in Bulgaria and used his accumulated tips to buy homes for his two children. As his fame spread across Istanbul, many celebrities began visiting the venues where he performed. He collaborated musically with Sibel Can and İbrahim Tatlıses. With Sibel Can’s support, his entry into the media opened the way for rapid recognition by a broad audience.

His First Album: The Change Brought by “Binnaz”

Ciguli’s true breakthrough came with his 1998 album and music video titled “Binnaz.” The album sold over half a million copies, reached number one on the charts, and earned Ciguli the award for “Best Male Debut Artist” in a video music competition on a popular music channel. Thus, he transformed from a musician playing the accordion for tips in Kumkapı into a nationally recognized figure. The artist also gained the admiration of Ebru Güneş, whose distinctive vocal style drew media attention and led to frequent appearances in the press.

Fame brought with it intense visibility and controversy. In the context of Turkey’s crisis-ridden 1990s, Ciguli aimed to make people laugh, appearing frequently on television and magazine programs and emphasizing entertainment. Newspapers of the time ran headlines such as “Ciguli crisis hit.” However, as his stage attire, dancing, and humor became more prominent, some circles criticized him for “low-quality music” and “shaklabanlık.” In the documentary film signed by Cengiz Özkarabekir, he stated that he was never fully understood as an artist; he was rarely given the opportunity to showcase his accordion playing or perform many of the songs in his repertoire, and his art became solely associated with “Binnaz,” which troubled him deeply.

Despite his rapid rise in his career, poor management and lack of professional guidance prevented him from achieving lasting success. He stated that his company did not allow him to travel to the United States and, despite becoming very famous, he failed to earn substantial income.

Over time, Ciguli developed health problems, underwent bypass surgery, and had a heart valve replaced. After this period, he decided to return to Bulgaria, abandoning radio and television programs. For a while, rumors circulated in Türkiye that he had permanently returned to Bulgaria; over the years, the media published three unfounded reports of his death.

Artistic Philosophy

Although Ciguli released several albums in later years, none matched the impact of “Binnaz.” Nevertheless, his musical identity became clearly defined. Ciguli followed an ethnic path blending Indian, Balkan, and Roma influences. In his repertoire and stage expression, he favored a Bulgarian-Turkish and Roma-centered style, adding a theatrical dimension to his performances through costumes, dance, and speech.

At a competition in the Netherlands representing Türkiye, he was chosen as “best accordionist.”

The renowned German musician Shantel included “Binnaz” in his album, and many music authorities have recognized him as an accordion virtuoso.

He portrayed a Roma musician in a television series and acted in the film titled Limonata.

On television programs he participated in, he was often allowed to sing only two songs, prevented from using his accordion, and even his interviews with magazines were distorted in publication. Ciguli linked this situation to the functioning of the industry and managerial problems.

Death

In the final years of his life, Ciguli chose a quieter life with his family in Haskovo. Although his name occasionally appeared in media reports of unfounded deaths, the artist passed away on 31 October 2014 and was buried in his hometown of Haskovo. He died during heart surgery at a hospital in Sofia. Onur Akay, on the social media platform then known as Twitter (now X), announced Ciguli’s death.

Akay stated: “Because they had falsely reported Ciguli’s death three times before on social media, I did not believe it at first! Unfortunately, the news I received from three separate managers turned out to be true. Ciguli passed away yesterday around 9 p.m. He was admitted for surgery in Sofia but could not wake up from the anesthesia due to complications in his lungs. May his grieving family find strength. Ciguli’s funeral will take place in Haskovo, Bulgaria.”^【1】