Muhlis Akarsu (1948-1993) was a Turkish singer and player of the baglama. Akarsu was born in Kangal, Sivas. He became well known as a performer of Alevi music, whose main instrument is the baglama (sometimes called saz). He died on 2nd July 1993 while attending a conference in Sivas, when the hotel used by the delegates was attacked by Islamic extremists.