Thaara- Maldivian tambourine men

By: Aminath Saany Naseer

The music starts to play and people dance to its pulse as it spreads over the whole atmosphere like a magic charm. A group of men play their music and dance energetically on the floor. The music moved in rapid cadence as the people too fasten up their dance moves. The shirtless performers are seen from far away with sweat that glisten their skin in the light. Every move seems incomplete without another. They sway their average built bodies back and forth, then sideways while beating the decorated hand drum which they held.

“Thaara” is the name of the hand drum used to play the music. It is similar to a tambourine and is circular in shape, flatter than a normal drum and its surface area is made from sting ray skin locally known as ‘Madi Hun’. ‘Thaara’performance is a Maldivian cultural activity which includes dancing and singing. It is most likely derived from the Middle Eastern culture, probably by gulf Arabs who visited Maldives 400 years ago in the 17th century. It was used to be played for the fulfilment of vows, special festivities, and to entertain royalty.

“Thaara” can only be performed by a group of 35 to 40 people. There is also a rule that this activity can only be performed by men. The performers of ‘Thaara’would be well attired despite being shirtless wearing, a sarong and a green scarf tied around their necks. In the past there have been certain criteria a ‘thaara’performer should meet. That is having a good vocal, being handsome, being good in dancing and having a good height. The songs sung in the “thaara”performances are often about blessings, and words of gratitude.

During the early days the lyrics that the people sang is mainly Arabic. However we can see Dhivehi verses being sung in the present day. “Thaara” includes a group of limited men beating the “Thaara” while singing. The “Thaara”performance first starts off by a group of men entering the area. The first person holds a flag and is led by the other performers. Then the men sit on the ground in parallel lines facing each other. The song in the “thaara” performance starts off with a slow tempo and gradually fastens up and reaches a crescendo. In such circumstances, there would be a rush of excitement in the audience as well as in the performers. In some wilder forms of “thaara”, some of the performers often stab the back of their neck and less critical areas of the body with an iron spike while in the dancing frenzy. This is known as ‘Vajidhuvun’ in Dhivehi. The iron spike is sterilized with hot water. The performer while stabbing when the tempo increases would fake it and drop on the ground. However this is only done by well trained people. This wilder form of “Thaara” has been banned by the Maldivian government for safety reasons. A type of music similar to “Thaara” is still practiced in the Gulf and in South Arabia today.

The island of Thoddu, situated in Ari atoll is famous for “Thaara” performances. It is important to note that this form of cultural activity has been more popular in the central Maldives than in the south or in the north. There are various groups of dancers working full time in the dancing field of “Thaara”. This shows the involvement of the locals in promoting cultural activities. Tourists often come to Maldives to experience such features of Maldivian culture. “Thaara” cannot be accompanied by other dancers though it is as livelier as any other cultural activity.