Martti Eliel Pokela, also known as Martti Pokela, born on January 23, 1924, in Haapavesi, was a Finnish kantele artist and folk music performer. He studied agronomy at the University of Helsinki, graduating in 1955, and began playing the violin before mastering the kantele. Pokela's musical career started with public performances alongside his wife, Marjatta Pokela. In 1975, he became a professor of traditional music at the Sibelius Academy. His compositions for kantele, such as "Yrttejä" (1959), are significant contributions to Finnish folk music. Notable works include Vanha pelimanni (1978) and Rauta ja rasia (1986). Pokela received the title of professor in 1980 and received the State Prize for Music in 2001. He passed away on August 23, 2007, in Helsinki.
