Umaisha (Maldives)

Born and raised in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, Umaisha is a singer-songwriter whose music reflects a life shaped by island culture and migration. Now based in Chicago, she writes songs that move between her two homes, drawing from folk-rock traditions as well as the melodies and heritage of the Indian Ocean region. The Maldives, a nation of coral atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean, has a strong oral storytelling culture, and this narrative sensibility runs through Umaisha’s work. Writing in both English and Dhivehi, the national language of the Maldives, allows her to remain closely connected to her heritage while expressing the emotional nuances of a life lived between places.

Featured Song:

“Dhannahen” (Familiar Feeling) is a tender song of recognition and closeness, sung entirely in Dhivehi, an Indo-Aryan language written in the Thaana script. Set at sunset on a Maldivian beach, the song captures the moment when affection quietly transforms the world. “A feeling of familiarity made me look / A sense of approach drew me in / At the refresh-ing sight of your greeting / At the meeting of our hands / The answers were clearly heard."

Artist Website

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