First of all, music is essential for humans, as it allows people to express their feelings, regardless of whether others are listening or not. Music serves as a form of therapy and is also a profound art form. These are some of the key reasons why humans need music.
There is also a controversial debate about the comparison between traditional and international music. In my opinion, there are two main reasons why the traditional music of a country is more important than the international music that is widely heard today.
The first reason is the role of traditional music in transmitting culture from one generation to the next. In other words, the lyrics and rhythms of songs are significant markers of culture, allowing younger generations to learn important cultural information from their predecessors. For instance, if Barış Manço or Cem Karaca, prominent figures in modern public music, had not learned cultural insights from older generations, the younger generation would not have received them. Therefore, this cultural transmission is made possible through traditional music.
The second reason is that traditional music teaches people unique and original concepts. In contrast, international music tends to be similar across the globe. While it may be easy to learn and sing along to international songs, particularly those in English—the most common language in the world—their content often lacks depth and detail. As a result, people may not fully comprehend the meaning if they don’t listen in their native language. Traditional music, on the other hand, allows people to connect more deeply with the emotions and messages conveyed through the art form.
In conclusion, there are two significant reasons why the traditional music of a country holds more importance than international music. It is essential to protect and preserve traditional music, as it belongs not only to a specific country but to the entire world.