Anahit Yulanda Varan (, 191729 August 2003), also known as Anahit Kuyrig, best known as "Madam Anahit", was a Turkish street performing musician who played the accordion. She appeared in a number of films in bit parts as an extra. Early years Anahit Yulanda Varan was born into a wealthy Armenian family in Tarlabaşı neighborhood of Beyoğlu district, close to Taksim Square, in Istanbul, then Ottoman Empire in 1917. She had a brother, Vosge Apeğa, who was known as "Vosgik Vartabed", literally "Vosges the Preacher". Her mother had a passion for piano. She completed her primary education at Anarat Hığutyun Armenian Catholic School in Taksim, now Taksim Art House. She then graduated from Eseyan Armenian High School, also in Taksim. Musician career She stepped into music when she joined the school choir in the second high school grade at age 16. She spent the summer months of her youth years on Heybeliada, on the Princes' Islands. There she was impressed by the accordion-playing by the son of a Greek neighbor. She then convinced her mother to buy an accordion. She received a second-hand white-colored Hohner-make accordion, bought for 170 Turkish lira from a music instruments store owned by the Greek Papa Yorgi. She first went to the Church of St. Anthony of Padua on the Istiklal Avenue, put her accordion onto the altar and prayed for the realization of her dream. Papa Yorgi arranged her a teacher for playing the accordion. She started to take lessons from Arto Benon, which were not low-priced at that time. After learning the basics, she changed her teacher. She took lessons from Nora Dırızyan, who became her first husband. During her life between 30 and 35, she appeared in side roles as an extra in a number of films such as Babanın Suçu, Adalet, Yalancı Yarim, Cennet Çocukları, Kadın ve Şarap, Faize Hücum, Bay Alkolü Takdimimdir, Arkadaş, 24 Saat, Öğretmen. She featured in the media clip by Aşkın Nur Yengi and Grup Gündoğarken. In her later years, she performed with her Hohner accordion at Çiçek Pasajı, a historic covered arcade, and Nevizade Street on the Istiklal Avenue with rows of cafes, tavernas, winehouses and restaurants. She became known as "Madam Anahit". She always appeared wearing a bright red lipstick. Her repertoire included popular Turkish-language tangos, Greek folk music Hasapiko, Armenian taverna music. She played the most popular songs "La Vie en rose" by Édith