Erhan Güleryüz (b. 1966) is a multifaceted artist active in music, cinema, and literature, and the founder of the group Ayna. He began his music career at an early age and developed it further during university through group projects. Since the 1990s, he has established himself on the Turkish music scene through both solo projects and his work with Ayna. A prolific creator of numerous songs, albums, films, and literary works, he is recognized as a versatile figure across multiple disciplines.

Born on 13 January 1966 in Bostancı, he grew up in Büyükçekmece from the age of two. The cultural diversity of Büyükçekmece during his formative years significantly influenced his development.^【1】

His paternal grandfather was from Debre, his paternal grandmother from Mecca, his maternal grandfather from Thessaloniki, and his maternal grandmother from the Caucasus.^【2】

He completed his primary and secondary education in Büyükçekmece. At the age of 13 or 14, he began playing the drum and darbuka.^【3】

Until university, he performed music in school orchestras and wedding halls. During university, he began making group music with friends. He collaborated with Cemil Özeren in bands such as Entalpi and Orbital.^【4】

Because he started primary school a year early, he became a university student at the age of 16. He began university in 1981 and studied at the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences at Dokuz Eylül University.^【5】 He began higher education in the Tourism Management department at Ege University’s Faculty of Economics, but when Dokuz Eylül University was established, his department was transferred there.^【6】

During university, he listened to groups such as Led Zeppelin, Eurohead, Deep Purple, and Pink Floyd. In those years, he performed and sang songs by these groups with Cemil Özeren.^【7】 He also listened to Turkish groups such as Moğollar, MFÖ, and Bulutsuzluk Özlemi.^【8】

Ersen ve Dadaşlar,Barış Manço, Kurtalan Ekspres, Apaşlar, Üç Hürel, Grup Hardal, Erkin Koray, and Cem Karaca are among the musicians he drew inspiration from.^【9】

After graduating, he worked for a year and a half at a holding company.^【10】 He did not abandon music during this period.

In 1993, he released his first album under his own name, Güller Açtı. At the insistence of Feyyaz Kuruş and Hakan Peker, the album was poorly received and sold very few copies by the standards of the time.^【11】

In 1996, he released an arabesk album under the pseudonym Meçhul Şarkıcı. The proceeds from this album funded the formation of the Ayna group. The album was recorded in a single night with eight songs and achieved success.^【12】 Recording sessions for Ayna’s music began approximately two months later. Because the identity of Meçhul Şarkıcı was not disclosed, it was not known at the time of Ayna’s formation that it was Erhan Güleryüz.^【14】

In 2002, he founded Rüzgar Yapım, overseeing the production of numerous albums including those of Ayna.

In 2004, he released a solo album titled Doğum Günü.

In 2007, he also worked in radio. Later, he hosted the program Aynadan Yansıyanlar on TRT, where he composed and performed songs based on poems submitted by viewers.^【15】

He has composed over 1,500 songs, written three symphonies, and created music for television series, films, and advertisements. ^【16】 He has directed one feature film and authored three poetry books.

For the 100th anniversary of the Republic, he composed a march titled "Açtık Yelkenleri."

The Ayna group was formed in 1996. Erhan Güleryüz assembled the group by inviting Cemil Özeren, drummer Ayhan Öztoplu, guitarist Can Güney (recommended by Gökhan Semiz), and keyboardist Alper Çakır.^【17】

The group has produced music across various genres, primarily utilizing drums, bass, guitar, and organ in its songs.^【18】

After the 2002 album Bostancı Durağı, Cemil Özeren left the group. Subsequently, the group’s lineup changed frequently. The group remains active to this day.

Erhan Güleryüz describes Ayna as a "school."^【19】

• Gittiğin Yağmurla Gel (1996)
• Dön Bak Aynaya (1998)
• Şarkılar ve Türküler (1999)
• Çayımın Şekeri (2000)
• Bostancı Durağı (2002)
• Denizden Geliyoruz (2004)
• Nefes (2006)
• Asmalımescit (2010)
• Mavi Şarkılar (2011)
• 20. Yıl (1. Bölüm) (2017)
• Yine Aşk (2023)

The film İçimde Akan Nehir, written and directed by Erhan Güleryüz, was released in 2015. The lead roles are played by Erhan Güleryüz and Tuğçe Kazaz. The film explores themes such as the protagonist Hazar Kafkas — portrayed by Güleryüz — confronting his past, falling in love during a period of serious illness, and struggling to avoid becoming like his father. The film’s music was composed by Ayna and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.^【20】

Erhan Güleryüz has published three poetry books. These are:

• Kiremit Uçuran (2000)
• Kayıkhane Durgunu (2005)
• Pera'da Yağmur (2010)

Erhan Güleryüz regards poetry as "the essence of all art."^【21】

Kiremit Uçuran features illustrations created by the author himself.