Himzo Polovina

Dr. Himzo Polovina (born 1927 in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, died 1986 in Sarajevo, Bosnia) was a Bosnian singer and songwriter, most famous for collecting and performing sevdalinka songs. In addition, Dr. Himzo Polovina was a well respected neuropsychiatrist.

Many consider him to be the most prominent sevdalinka collector and interpreter of all times. His remarkable performances and passion for the art contributed to an increase in popularity of the sevdalinka as well as a wide acceptance of sevdalinka as an authentic music heritage of the Bosniaks. His deep understanding, knowledge and contribution remain of high value for the musical genre of sevdalinka as well as the entire Bosniak culture.

Thanks to late Himzo Polovina many forgotten songs were preserved and promoted by him in the same time. Those include:
* "Emina (Text written by Aleksa Šantić)
* "Dvore gradi Komadina Mujo" ("Mujo Komadina builds a castle")
* "Čudna jada od Mostara grada" ("Strange pain from the city of Mostar")
* "Ikindija, sunce zalazaše" ("Ikindija, the sun was setting")
* "Poletjela dva goluba" ("Two pigeons flew away")
* "Jutros prođoh kroz čaršiju" ("I passed through the town this morning")
* "Voljelo se dvoje mladih" ("Two young ones loved one another")
* "Otvor' vrata od hamama" ("Open the door to the bath")
* "Poljem se vija Hajdar delija" ("Valiant Hajdar dashes down the field")
* "Mila majko šalji me na vodu" ("Dear mother, send me to the water")

External links

* [http://www.sevdalinke.com/bastina.php A page dedicated to Himzo Polovina] , in Bosnian. Contains quotes about Himzo Polovina by other authors as well as lyrics to many of the songs interpreted by him.