2 young artists present Maldivians' musical talents to international community!

Though small in size and population, Maldives is renowned, worldwide. Maldivian tourism, and Maldivian talent is valued and praised over and over by the international community.

The international community is not unfamiliar with some Maldivian artists. Artists like the heavy metal band Nothnegal, guitarist Ahmed Faseeh (Fasy) and Ahmed Nashid are respected and recognized worldwide.

Young Maldivian artists continue to spread their wings across the continent. This is evident from the invitations, though few in number, received by Maldivian bands and artists to perform in international concerts and music festivals.

This is such a story.

Accepting an invitation by RAFY NGO, a group of young Maldivian artists traveled to Bhubaneswar City of India and displayed their musical talents at the South Asian Youth Summit (SAYS) 2017, last week. They were easily the “favorites” who “rocked” the entire Summit.

Mohamed Muazzin (Rock Star) and his metal band “Gravity by Habeys” shook up the entire Summit, while even the senior officials at the Summit were left spell bounded when artists Mohamed Abdul Ghanee (Theyra) and Sama Moosa (Samko) held up their mics and performed.

Samko said she was pleased with the response to her performance at SAYS, and especially pleased with the opportunity to represent Maldives at SAYS.

Speaking to “Sun” about her experience at SAYS, Samko said the response to their performances, despite the fact that their songs were in the Dhivehi Language, was astounding. She believes such opportunities for young artists to represent the country in an international platform was empowering, and a matter of great pride.

She noted the lack of such opportunities for young artists, which she said was one of the biggest challenges for up-and-coming artists such as herself.

“In reality, there is a lack of opportunities for artists in Maldives. Every artist wants to explore. Every artist would want to display their talent in an international platform. And to represent Maldives,” said Samko.

Muazzin (Modde) has represented Maldives with performances in countries such as Russia and Singapore, and his performances at SAYS were wildly popular both among Maldivian and foreign delegates. Modde noted that Maldivians were previously known only for their tourism industry and fishing industry.

Modde said that being given the opportunity for Maldivian artists to perform in an international platform proved to the world Maldivian’s musical talents. He said Maldivian artists’ performances in such platforms were well-received.

He too noted the lack of such opportunities available to Maldivian artists.

Modde believes Maldivian artists aren’t putting enough effort into seeking such opportunities. He noted the lack of funding as one of the biggest barriers faced by Maldivian artists in seeking such opportunities.

“I believe every band would want to be recognized internationally. But there is lack of opportunity. Artists will get their opportunities when those with the power facilitate it. Self-funding will be a difficult feat for artists,” said Modde.

Despite their many concerns, both Samko and Modde hope more Maldivian artists will have opportunities to perform in international platforms and represent the country available to them in the future.

They asked for the assistance of the Ministry of Youth, the government, and NGO’s such as RAFY to make it possible.