Popular Songs and Dances
Maldivians feel some affinity to Northern India through their language, which is related to the languages of North India. Most older generation or traditional Maldivians like to watch Hindi movies from the 1960s or 70s, and like to listen to the songs of those movies. The reason is that out of a similar language, similar rhythms and cadences develop. In fact, it is very easy for Maldivians to fit local lyrics to a Hindi tune because of this cultural closeness. For example, the Hindi words Ek din ("one day") are changed to E kudin (those kids) in Dhivehi, and in this manner a new local song develops.
Before cable TV, the most popular radio programmes from the Voice of Maldives (VOM) were those broadcasting older Hindi songs, like Vakivumuge kurin ("Before the breakup"). On rural islands, Hindi songs are still the most popular songs, especially the older ones from Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Hemant Kumar and Kishore Kumar. Therefore, most popular Maldivian songs are based in (or influenced by) Hindi songs.
Similarly, the few popular local dances are based on North Indian dances, especially Kathak.
The favorite musical instrument of Maldivians, besides the drum, is the bulbul tarang, a kind of horizontal accordion. This instrument is also used to accompany devotional songs, like Maadhaha. Singers like Naifaru Dohokko became famous through songs with bulbul music in the background. The first bulbuls were brought from Calcutta in the early 19th century. Influences from North Indian music and dances date back to that time. They didn't begin broadcasting Hindi songs by radio until the 1960s and 70s.
There are also female singers producing traditional songs; among them, the most popular were Fareeda Hasan and Jēmuge Donkamanaa, whose songs continue to be cherished by Maldivians, although both women have died.
Read more about this topic: Music Of The Maldives
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