Gaumee Salaam

"{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" (Template:Langx, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}; Template:Lit) is the national anthem of the Maldives. The lyrics were written by Mohamed Jameel Didi in 1948, and the melody was composed by Sri Lankan maestro Pandit Amaradeva in 1972.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref>

"Gaumee salaam" is a declaration of national unity, the 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 country's leaders.

History

Until 1948, a melody without lyrics called the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was performed by a royal band on state occasions at the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, the residence of the Sultan. Soon after, it was decided that the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} needed lyrics accompanied by a new melody. The lyrics were written by a young poet and later chief justice, Mohamed Jameel Didi.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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 Template:Transliteration was complete.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

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, the government hastily commissioned Sri Lankan maestro W. D. Amaradeva for a new melody for the anthem.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The original lyrics were retained, with a few changes to emphasise the fact that Maldives had been a republic since 1968.<ref name=":2" /> Template:As of, this version of the anthem has survived without any modifications.

Lyrics

Normally, only the chorus and first two verses are sung.<ref name="2019 anthem">Template:Cite AV media</ref><ref name="MaldivianIdol">Template:Cite AV media</ref>

Maldivian original

Thaana<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Latin script	IPA transcriptionTemplate:Efn
lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}</poem>	lang}}</poem>	main}}</poem>

English translation

<poem>Template:Small We salute thee, O Motherland, in unity In our own tongue with good wishes aplenty. We bow our heads to thy crescent moon and star, Our buoyant flag we hail, with bright colours streaming in air. Of victory and of good fortune are its symbols We salute the mighty red, white and green. To heroes who sought honour and pride for the nation We salute today in auspicious verses of recollection. May there be fame and good wealth for Maldivian land And may the name of fellow Maldivians become grand. We wish for their freedom and progress in this world And for their freedom from sorrows, and we thus salute. With full respect and heartfelt blessing towards religion and our leaders, We salute thee in uprightness and in truth. May the State always have auspicious honour and respect. We salute thee, with good wishes for thy continuing might. Template:Small</poem>

External links

• The Maldives Royal Family website has a page on the anthem, including a midi file version. (archived 1 January 2022)
• Streaming audio of the national anthem of the Maldives, with information and lyrics (archived 9 February 2018)