Turkish Drama ‘Resurrection: Ertuğrul’ Taking the World by Storm
515 million people write this article with me, in this pen I hold the love of multitudes. “Dirilis Ertuğrul” or Resurrection Ertuğrul, the Turkish TV series is taking the world by storm. People around the world are going crazy over it, making it an international sensation. It is based on the history of the Oghuz Turks and Ertuğrul’s mission is to find a homeland for his nomad tribe. During this harsh mission, he fights the Templar Knights, the Mongols, the Byzantine Empire, and enemies within his tribe. It also depicts famous figures of the Islamic civilization like Ibn-al-Arab, a scholar from Andalusia who becomes Ertuğrul’s spiritual guide. Ibn-al-Arab’s words are inspiring and strike an influence from a world apart.
Dirilis Ertuğrul is based on the glorious history of 13th century Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The Kayi tribe of the Oghuz Turks were in search of a land where they could live peacefully and where their generations could blossom. Suleyman Shah, the leader of the Kayi tribe, sends his son Ertuğrul along with his three companions on the great mission to find the land for the Nomad tribe to settle and live peacefully, and seek an agreement with the sultan of Aleppo. Their escapade eventually culminates into Ertuğrul becoming the man to lay the foundations of the Ottoman Empire.
The main purpose of the show is to emphasize the power of virtue, compassion, love, and the many situations which mold people to their full potential. It is informative, clean, and of course entertaining. Full of chivalry and character, it is a PG-rated show which you can watch with your family. Another reason for its popularity is because it is centered in the Muslim world. One of a kind, the show refutes the portrayal of Muslims in the popular media, to present a lifestyle that helps everybody find a common ground with the past. Engin Altan Düzyatan plays the lead role of Ertuğrul Gazi. He brought so much life and passion to the character of Ertuğrul; you never feel that he is an actor. Esra Bilgiç played the role of Ertuğrul’s wife, Halime Sultan. Both of them as individuals and as a couple add to the beauty of the already beautiful show.
The Turkish series teaches us patience, love, faithfulness, and honesty. Plus its music does not touch the ears, it soothes the heart. A truly brilliant job by Mehmet Bozdağ and the team. The TV series has been translated into more than 25 languages. The TV series has achieved an audience of 2.9 million subscribers and 515 million views. It is full of voices for those who hear, full of words for those who speak, and full of lessons for those who see. No wonder people around the world are absolutely loving it.
It’s not just a show, it’s a world in itself. Don’t believe me? Go and give it a see. Streaming on Netflix and YouTube, Ertuğrul is a lesson in frames.
Mohammad Tazeem
(Alumnus)
