bestekâr

Bestekâr is a Turkish term that denotes a person who composes music, i.e., a composer. The word is formed from beste, meaning a musical composition, plus the agentive suffix Kâr, meaning “one who does” or “maker.” The term reflects traditional Turkish word formation for occupational roles.

In contemporary Turkish, the more common term for a composer is besteci. Bestekâr is seen in older or more formal literary contexts and may carry a slightly archaic or literary tone. Both bestekâr and besteci refer to someone who creates musical works, and the choice between them often depends on stylistic or historical considerations rather than a difference in meaning.

The term is used across genres, including classical Turkish music, folk music, and modern or film music. While bestekâr and besteci are closely related, the preference for one form over the other can reflect register, era, or regional usage rather than a distinct category of composer. See also: beste, besteci.