Martti Pokela, together with his wife Marjatta, was noted for bringing about a renaissance in Finnish folk music in the 1950's.
A decade later, their daughter Eveliina joined them for many performances and they also gained wide support among fans of hootenanny folk.
The Pokela family were the first to popularise folk music in Finland in a contemporary style. Several of their albums were also released internationally.
Martti Pokela taught students the secrets of Finland's zither-like national instrument, the kantele, at the Sibelius Academy, where he served until 1987. He set up the Academy's folk music department in 1975.
Martti Pokela was granted the title of professor in 1980.
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