Sevdah is a traditional genre of folk music from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sevdah song is called sevdalinka. The actual composers of many sevdalinkas are unknown.
In musical sense, sevdalinka is characterized by a slow or moderate tempo and rich harmony, leaving a melancholic feeling with the listener. Sevdalinka songs are very elaborate, emotionally charged and are traditionally sung with passion and fervor. The combination of Oriental, European and
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Sevdah is a traditional genre of folk music from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sevdah song is called sevdalinka. The actual composers of many sevdalinkas are unknown.
In musical sense, sevdalinka is characterized by a slow or moderate tempo and rich harmony, leaving a melancholic feeling with the listener. Sevdalinka songs are very elaborate, emotionally charged and are traditionally sung with passion and fervor. The combination of Oriental, European and Sephardic elements make this type of music stand out among other types of folk music from the Balkans. The singer will often impose the rhythm and tempo of the song, both of which can vary throughout the song. Traditionally, sevdalinkas are women's songs, most addressing the issue of love and longing, unfulfilled and unfortunate love, some touch on a woman's physical desire for her loved one, and some have comic elements. Currently they are often performed by men as well. Traditionally, they were played without any instruments, hence the elaborate harmony. Modern interpretations are followed by a small orchestra containing accordion (the most prominent), violin, nylon-string guitars and/or other string instruments (occasionally), flute or clarinet (occasionally), upright bass, snare drum. In between the verses, an accordion or violin solo can almost always be heard.
The most prominent performers (singers) of sevdalinka in the 20th century are Zaim Imamović, Omer Pobrić, Asim Brkan, Beba Selimović, Hanka Paldum, Zekerijah Đezić, Slobodan Lalić, Mijat Mijatović, Nedeljko Bilkić, Himzo Polovina, Meho Puzić, Safet Isović, Nedžad Salković, Ekrem Pilic, Silvana Armenulić, Zehra Deović, Zora Dubljević, Nada Mamula, Vida Pavlović, and Emina Zecaj.
Although sang mainly by traditional Bosnian singers, sevdalinka has made its way to many "mainstream" musicians. Sevdalinkas were re-recorded by Josipa Lisac (she recorded Safet Isović song "Omer Beže"), Bijelo Dugme ("Da zna zora"), Ibrica Jusić (he recorded a whole album of sevdalinkas in 2003 named "Amanet", and in 2008. called Amanet 2), Jadranka Stojaković and Zdravko Čolić or taken as a basis for few songs by Johnny Štulić (his band Azra was named after a verse from a sevdalinka song).
In 1990s a band Mostar Sevdah Reunion was assembled in Mostar and in early 2000s they became widely popular on world music scene receiving high awards for their lively interpretations of sevdalinkas and introducing many people outside Bosnia to sevdalinka.
