Dil Udeyaa

Unoosha has made headlines again, but this time she's making headlines not only in the Maldives but also in India. Unoosha has been a well-known artist in the Maldives for a long time, having done everything from international brand deals to appearing on local TV shows and even having her own kids show called 'let's sing with Kiddy.' Her most recent endeavour, however, has garnered her even more fame, as she collaborated with well-known Indian singer Shantanu Mukherjee (Shaan).

This song is a collaboration between two countries on every level as the lyrics were written by two artists, the vocals were recorded in two countries, and the song was produced and co-produced by companies from both countries.

Being called the first ever Indo-Maldivian collaboration, the song ‘Dil Udeyaa’ was released on Shaan’s YouTube channel on the 10th of June. With the teaser being released in the same channel on the 6th - attracting over 22 thousand views, the popularity of the song was almost predictable. As of today, the song has over a million views, undoubtedly becoming a hit among both the Maldivian and Indian audiences.

It's no surprise, given that the song incorporates both Indian and Dhivehi language, traditional 'Bodu Beru' beats as well as the use of the Flute allowing the music to perfectly capture the hearts of audiences in both countries. What makes the incorporation of two languages into one song even more captivating is the manner in which it is done, with Unoosha singing parts of the song in Hindi and Urdu and Shaan singing parts of the song in Dhivehi.

The music video was shot at Crossroads Maldives and the video perfectly captures the 'feel good' and breezy dance song vibes that the music is supposed to be about, with both singers dancing, singing, and enjoying the scenery and ambience of the location alongside backup dancers.

The music video also plays into the lyrical content of the song which is all about spreading the happy feeling and living in the moment. With the music video showing a Bodu Beru group performing alongside both the singers, it shows the audience a tiny bit of the Maldivian tradition rather than just showcasing Maldives as a tourist destination.

While this may be the first Indo-Maldivian collaboration, seeing how well it has done in the short span of just four days, it does not feel like it will be the last.