Qaumii Salaam Explained

Divehi; Dhivehi; Maldivian: ޤައުމީ ސަލާމް
English Title:National Salute
Prefix:National
Alt Title:Gaumee Salaam
Country:the
Author:Muhammad Jameel Didi
Lyrics Date:1948
Composer:Pandit W. D. Amaradeva
Music Date:1972
Adopted:1905
Readopted:1972
Sound:Gaumii salaam.ogg
Sound Title:U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (chorus and one verse)

"" (also called "";[1] Divehi; Dhivehi; Maldivian: ޤައުމީ ސަލާމް, IPA: pronounced as /dv/, "National Salute") is the national anthem of the Maldives. The lyrics were written by Muhammad Jameel Didi in 1948, and the melody was composed by Sri Lankan maestro Pandit Amaradeva in 1972.

"Qaumee Salaam" is a declaration of national unity, the country's Islamic faith, the victory of historic battles and an homage to the heroes who fell defending the nation. It also wishes further development on the country, while paying respect to the leaders who had served it.

History

Until 1948, a melody without lyrics called the Salaamathi was performed by a royal band on state occasions at the, the residence of the Sultan. Soon after, it was decided that the Salaamathi needed lyrics accompanied by a new melody. The lyrics were written by a young poet and later chief justice, Mohamed Jameel Didi.[2]

Jameel Didi wrote the words for the new Salaamathi bearing in mind the influence of Urdu poetry during the time, closely imitating its style and also furnishing his work with words borrowed from Arabic. Afterwards, Jameel Didi began looking for a tune to accompany his poem when he heard the noon chime ("Auld Lang Syne") of his uncle's clock. The tune was adopted to the lyrics, and the new was complete.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Maldivians became more aware of the importance of a national anthem, and in 1972, shortly before the Maldives was visited by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, the government hastily commissioned Sri Lankan maestro W. D. Amaradeva for a new melody for the anthem.[3] The original lyrics were retained, with a few changes to emphasise the fact that Maldives had been a republic since 1968., this version of the anthem has survived without any modifications.

Lyrics

Normally, only the chorus and first two verses are sung.[4] [5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: The World Factbook . 2012 . Central Intelligence Agency . 9780160911422 . 461 . en.
  2. Web site: Maldive national anthem . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20040703210338/http://www.maldivesroyalfamily.com/maldives_anthem.shtml . 2004-07-03 . 2022-02-04 . Máldive Royal Family.
  3. News: R. K. Radhakrishnan . 28 June 2011 . India honours doyen of modern Sinhala music . The Hindu . Colombo . 25 April 2013.
  4. Web site: Television Maldives . 2019-04-12 . National Anthem of Maldives . live . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/2TEFaepTrvo . 2022-04-29 . 2022-02-04 . YouTube.
  5. Web site: Television Maldives . 2016-04-12 . National Anthem of Maldives - by #MaldivianIdol TOP5 . live . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/zSC3O0qSihg . 2022-04-29 . 2022-02-04 . YouTube.
  6. Web site: السلام الوطني المالديفي . 2022-02-04 . areq.net.