A Simple Performance That Traveled Far
A group of 13 Indian students in Dubai created a moment that moved beyond performance. Their rendition of the UAE national anthem, using Indian classical instruments, spread rapidly across social platforms and private networks, reaching communities across the country.
The video, shared by Malhaar, gained attention not through scale or production, but through clarity of intent and emotional resonance.
Where Music Became Meaning
The performance carried no elaborate staging. White attire, minimal setting, and a focus on sound defined the presentation.
What distinguished it was the fusion. Instruments such as sitar, tabla, sarod, flute, and pakhawaj were used to reinterpret a national symbol rooted in Emirati identity.
This combination created a bridge between traditions. It did not alter the anthem’s meaning but expanded how it could be expressed.
Origin of the Idea
For Jogiraj Sikidar, founder of Malhaar, the idea emerged during a period of uncertainty.
A message seen on a highway, “In the UAE, all are Emiratis,” shaped the direction of the project. The performance became a response, not through words, but through cultural expression.
Having spent over two decades in the country, the work reflected a personal connection shaped by time and experience.
Why It Connected
The response to the video revealed a pattern. Viewers did not engage with it as a performance alone. They connected it to memory.
School routines, morning assemblies, and daily life moments surfaced in reactions. Parents, former students, and long-term residents interpreted the video through their own experiences.
This response turned the video into a shared reference point rather than a one-time piece of content.
Recognition Across Communities
The performance drew attention from institutions and officials. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi described it as a reflection of cultural friendship, while Ambassador Deepak Mittal called it an outstanding rendition.
Education networks and community groups further amplified its reach, reinforcing its relevance across audiences.
Why It Spread
The video did not rely on scale, promotion, or production value. It relied on familiarity and honesty.
It reflected a lived experience. For many residents, the UAE is not defined only by location but by time spent, memories formed, and connections built.
The performance aligned with that reality.
What It Represents
The moment illustrates a broader pattern within the UAE. Cultural identity is not fixed within boundaries. It evolves through interaction, coexistence, and shared experience.
In this case, music carried that idea without explanation.
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Dubai-based Indian performing arts hub Malhaar shared a video featuring 13 students performing the UAE national anthem
Supplied/ Gulf News
