Mustafa Oksal, 62, has finally achieved his dream of becoming a musician, playing his cümbüş, a mandolin-like instrument with a metal and wood body, on the streets of his hometown.
Oksal could not become a musician due to his family's poverty, started work at a carpenter at the age of 12. He constantly delayed his dream of becoming a musician until he retired a decade ago. And since then he has been learning to play the cümbüş from teachers at several traditional Turkish music associations in Istanbul, Antalya, İzmir and Mersin.
He later built his own cümbüş from mulberry and juniper. Those who want to listen to him can now walk along the shores of Mezitli, Mersin where he sings traditional Turkish songs.
"My passion for music deepened with age. It took me two months to build my cümbüş. Music is what I want to do during my retirement."
He said earning money was not important for him. "Money comes second for street musicians. What's important is to be appreciated. If many people come and throw coins in the case, it means they like what you do."
