Belly Dance by ÂYA of Istanbul
Performance, Instruction, Choreography
“Çakkidi” was written by famous singer, songwriter Sezen Aksu who also wrote Tarkan’s big hit “Shikidim”. The song is full of colloqualisms, slang, as well as creative language, a lot like an American Rap song, impossible to translate literally. It might help to read the notes at the bottom along with the translation. The lyrics are written cleverly, with a sense of humor, and touch on the frustration and confusion we experience as individuals in a fastpaced society that doesn't always make sense. Despite its' goofy approach , the song is reflective of the way dance is often viewed in Turkish Culture- a refuge within the chaos, a way of living in the moment and connecting with others.
"ÇAKKIDI" by Kenan Dogulu
Turkish to English Translation by Aya of Istanbul, Copyright © 2007. All Rights Reserved.
BURALARDAN HEMEN GIDESIM VAR
Feeling like I want to go from these parts immediately
YENIDEN BASLAMAK HEVESIM VAR
I have the inclination to start over
NE VARSA ATTIGIM IÇIME
Whatever I have bottled up inside
CART DIYE DIYESIM VAR
(with a *CART) I want to tell
KATLANIYORUZ HERKES GIBI MALUM
As you know, we withstand (hardships) like everybody else
AÇIKLARIMIZ KAÇIKLARIMIZ VAR
We have our imperfections, our craziness
AMA HEM KEL HEM FODUL TAKIMINI
*But those who are both bald and vain
HART DIYE YIYESIM VAR
I feel like eating them with a crunch (*HART)!
ÇAT DIYE ÇATLAMAK ÜZEREYIM
I’m just about to crack (with a ÇAT)
NERESINDEN TUTUP TA DÜZELEYIM
How to get a grip on it and straighten myself out
ORTAGI OLMUSUM DÜZENEGIN
I have become a partner (supporter) of the system
KENDIMI BOGASIM VAR
I feel like choking myself
ÇAT DIYE ÇATLAMAK ÜZEREYIM
I’m just about to crack (with a ÇAT)
NERESINDEN TUTUP TA DÜZELEYIM
How to get a grip on it and straighten myself out
ORTAGI OLMUSUM DÜZENEGIN
I have become a partner (supporter) of the system
HERKESI OYASIM VAR
*I feel like carving into everybody
AMAN BE HADI KALK KAYNASALIM KIZ
Never mind, come on get up, let’s get friendly girl
ÇAKKIDI ÇAKKIDI OYNASALIM KIZ
(*ÇAKKIDI ÇAKKIDI) let’s play around
AZICIK ALTTAN AZICIK ÜSTTEN
*A little from the top, a little from the bottom
HOPPIDI HOPPIDI HOPLATALIM KIZ
(*HOPPIDI HOPPIDI) Let’s bounce it girl
BUNLAR BENIM FIKRIM MI
Are these my opinions?
KISA METRAJ FILMIM MI
Is this my own short film?
IRFANIM MI ILMIM MI
Is this my knowledge, my science? (What I hold to be sacred and true?)
YUH DIYE SÖVESIM VAR
I feel like protesting with a *YUH (boo)
ZIHIN OYUNLARIM MI
Are these my mind games (Is this my mind playing tricks on me?)
RESMI DUYUMLARIM MI
My official sensations?
KOYUN UYUMLARIM MI
Or me trying to fit in like another sheep in the flock?
KAH KAH GÜLESIM VAR
I feel like laughing with a HA HA!
HIÇ UMUT YOK MU
Is there no hope?
HERSEY BOS MU
Is everything empty, meaningless nonsense?
DÜNYA ALEM
This whole world,
DUT GIBI SARHOS MU
Is it blind drunk?
Repeat of Chorus
*ÇAT - “CRACK!” Sound something makes when it cracks. Cracking sound.
*CART- tearing, ripping into sound, here used more to signify inappropriateness (pronounced JAHRT)
*both bald and vain - Literal translation of the Turkish saying “Hem kel, hem fodul” which refers to people that claim to be great despite their incompetence or wrongdoing.
*I feel like carving into everybody – Not literal, kind of like saying “I feel like biting people’s heads off”
*A little from the top, a little from the bottom - Here in a dance sense, in reference to chest and hips
*HOPPIDI – Sound for hopping or bouncing, (kind of like “hippity hoppity” in English)
*HART – Sound for biting into something
*YUH - closest translation is “boo”, however “yuh” in Turkish has a much stronger connotation and is considered inappropriate in polite company
Aya of Istanbul
TurkishBellyDancer.com
