Maldivian resorts gearing up for festive season!

While the local music scene is fighting to stay alive, the setup in the Maldives has changed for the better.

I’m told there has been a huge drop in Covid-19 cases, in the Maldives, mainly due to the successful implementation of the island’s vaccination programme, and the health guidelines implemented.

With tourists now making their way to the small archipelagic state, and many more expected towards the latter part of this year, some of the resorts are already working on plans to see that their guests are kept entertained, during the forthcoming festive period, commencing early December.

Singer Sheru, who is Maldivian but well known in the Sri Lankan music scene, is getting her act together for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Russian Christmas, which falls on January 7th (2022).

At this point in time, Sheru does a duo scene, with a Maldivian, on guitar, and they operate as So Blue Duo, performing regularly at a tourist resort, in the Maldives.

Elaborating on the name ‘So Blue,’ Sheru said she wanted to express the beauty of her country, especially the blue water beaches, and, hence the name So Blue.

Although they operate as a duo now, a full band would be in attendance for December 24th, December 31st, and January 7th.

Sheru went on to say that the full band would comprise five members – all Maldivians – and would be known as So Blue.

“We plan to do lots of music from the past because that is the kind of stuff the guests look forward to, especially at the three big festive events.

Before the pandemic cropped up, Sheru was based in Colombo, because of her son’s schooling.

She says she is eagerly looking forward to returning to Sri Lanka, no sooner normalcy returns.

Sheru was the frontline singer for many Sri Lankan bands, while she was in Sri Lanka, and her singing, and stage presentation, generated plenty of excitement.

When she opted to go solo, she continued to have plenty of work coming her way – doing ‘guest star’ spots for some of the leading event companies, in Colombo.

Sheru still recollects the days when she was featured, on several occasion, at a popular sing-along event, performing with Sohan & The X-Periments.

“Those awesome memories I will never ever forget,’ said Sheru, who, incidentally, is the sister of the Maldivian Vice-President, Faisal Naseem.

Duos are the ‘in thing’ in the Maldives, at the moment, and two Sri Lankans who are doing exceptionally well in the resort scene are the husband-and-wife duo of Michelle and Chanitha.

They generally do the evening scene, at the resort they perform at, but, from early August, they are being featured in the mornings, as well.