Panna Cinka
Encyclopedia
Panna Cinka (1711(?) – 1772) was a famous Hungarian-Romani violin
ist.
Cinka was born in Sajógömör, Hungary
(modern-day Gemer, Slovakia
) to a Romani family of musicians. Her father was a court musician of Francis II Rákóczi
. Her father and brothers are said to be the authors of the Rákóczi March
, etc.
She studied music in Rozsnyó (today Rožňava
) and married a Romani musician-blacksmith
. Legends claim that she played violin at the age of 9. After 1725 Cinka formed a music band with her husband and brothers-in-law. She designed a uniform of sorts for the band. She became famous for her skill with a violin. She played first violin in this ensemble. The band toured abroad and was invited to perform in noble houses. She also gave birth to four sons and one daughter. Her father and brothers are said to be the authors of the Rákóczi March
among others.
Panna Cinka died in 1772 and was buried on February 5 in Gemer. Her grave has not survived but future poets gave her an epithet "The Gypsy Sappho
". Many Hungarian writers and composers—such as Mór Jókai
, Zoltán Kodály
, and Endre Dózsa—adopted her as the character of their works.
She was portrayed by Anna Gurji
in Dušan Rapoš
's biographical film Cinka Panna.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist.
Cinka was born in Sajógömör, Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
(modern-day Gemer, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
) to a Romani family of musicians. Her father was a court musician of Francis II Rákóczi
Francis II Rákóczi
Francis II Rákóczi Hungarian aristocrat, he was the leader of the Hungarian uprising against the Habsburgs in 1703-11 as the prince of the Estates Confederated for Liberty of the Kingdom of Hungary. He was also Prince of Transylvania, an Imperial Prince, and a member of the Order of the Golden...
. Her father and brothers are said to be the authors of the Rákóczi March
Rákóczi March
The "Rákóczi March" is the unofficial state anthem of Hungary.The first version of this march-song was probably created around 1730 by one or more anonymous composers, although tradition says that it was the favourite march of Francis Rákóczi II...
, etc.
She studied music in Rozsnyó (today Rožňava
Rožnava
Rožňava is a town in Slovakia, approximately 71 km by road from Košice in the Košice Region, and has a population of 19,120.The town is an economic and tourist center of the Gemer. Rožňava is now a popular tourist attraction with a beautiful historic town centre. The town is an episcopal seat...
) and married a Romani musician-blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
. Legends claim that she played violin at the age of 9. After 1725 Cinka formed a music band with her husband and brothers-in-law. She designed a uniform of sorts for the band. She became famous for her skill with a violin. She played first violin in this ensemble. The band toured abroad and was invited to perform in noble houses. She also gave birth to four sons and one daughter. Her father and brothers are said to be the authors of the Rákóczi March
Rákóczi March
The "Rákóczi March" is the unofficial state anthem of Hungary.The first version of this march-song was probably created around 1730 by one or more anonymous composers, although tradition says that it was the favourite march of Francis Rákóczi II...
among others.
Panna Cinka died in 1772 and was buried on February 5 in Gemer. Her grave has not survived but future poets gave her an epithet "The Gypsy Sappho
Sappho
Sappho was an Ancient Greek poet, born on the island of Lesbos. Later Greeks included her in the list of nine lyric poets. Her birth was sometime between 630 and 612 BC, and it is said that she died around 570 BC, but little is known for certain about her life...
". Many Hungarian writers and composers—such as Mór Jókai
Mór Jókai
Mór Jókai , born Móric Jókay de Ásva , outside Hungary also known as Maurus Jokai, was a Hungarian dramatist and novelist.-Early life:...
, Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is best known internationally as the creator of the Kodály Method.-Life:Born in Kecskemét, Kodály learned to play the violin as a child....
, and Endre Dózsa—adopted her as the character of their works.
She was portrayed by Anna Gurji
Anna Gurji
Anna Giorgobiani , well-known as Anna Gurji, is a Georgian actress. She made her debut in the short drama-film "If this day never happened" but before that she appeared as a child in short documentary named "Town" . In 2007 she got role in American TV-project "Signals" where she played Afanasiia...
in Dušan Rapoš
Dusan Rapos
Dušan Rapoš is a Slovak film director, screenwriter and composer. He is married to Eva Vejmělková, a famous Czech actress. Initially, he was a journalist and worked as an editor at Slovak Radio...
's biographical film Cinka Panna.