Peruz

Peruz (1866 in Sivas^[1] – c. 1920 in Istanbul) also known as Peruz Hanım^[2] or Kantocu Peruz,^[3][4][5] Perviz Hanım was an Ottoman Armenian^[6] kanto singer, songwriter. Her family name was Terzakyan.^[6][7] One of her nicknames was Afet-i Devran Peruz.^[8]

Peruz
Peruz
Background information
Birth name	Petuz Terzakyan
Also known as	Peruz
Born	1866 Sivas, Ottoman Empire
Genres	kanto
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1880–1912

Biography

Peruz started singing kantos in 1880 when she was 14 years old.^[1] She composed her songs and was also the lyricist. Her stage life lasted until 1912. She was beetle-browed, bulk-bodied, attractive and flirtatious woman.^[1] Bestekâr Şevki Bey ("Composer Şevki Bey", 1860–1891) fell in love with Peruz and composed many scores such as Hidjaz Severim can ü gönülden seni tersa çiçeğim for her.^[5] Her songs were published as "Neşe-i Dil". Peruz was a pioneer with her cousin Şamram (Kelleciyan, 1870–1955),^[7] Baydzar, Büyük Emilye [Ameliya] (Pol), Küçük Eleni (Greek), Küçük Virjin [Virgine], Mari Ferha and Agavni all non-Muslim kanto singers.

Peruz was also credited as a lead in 1919 silent short Fahri Bey Makarna Tenceresinde ("Mr. Fahri in Pasta Pot") by Fahri Bey (İsmet Fahri Gülunç).^[9] Rushen Hakki and Fahri himself were other actors. Fahri Bey directed another short film of the same year Tombul Aşığın Dört Sevgilisi ("Four Darlings of Plump Lover").^[10] The film was not completed de to a legal dispute and there were no credit records for Peruz. Peruz died at 54 years old.^[1]