Mariyam, singer of ‘Roohuvany Thinadhoogaey’, dies at 73

Mariyam Didi (Mariyam Dha’tha), the vocalist from Thinadhoo City who gained nationwide recognition with the hit “Roohuvany Thinadhoogaey”, has died at the age of 73.

Thinadhoo Council’s president Saud Ali told Sun that she died on Sunday evening.

He described her death as “a great loss to Thinadhoo.”

Mariyam, who was born blind, was widely respected in Thinadhoo.

After gaining nationwide fame with the hit “Fenmeeru Reethi Rashey Mee, Roohuvany Thinadhoogaey” – which describes the beauty of the southern island of Thinadhoo – Mariyam went on to record a number of works by the acclaimed poet Abdulla Afeef.

Saud said that Mariyam met a number of people on Sunday, and that he himself saw her at the island’s harbor.

“Mariyam Dha’tha’s passing is a great loss. Though she may not be a rich heiress, she held the respect and love of the entire nation,” he said.

Mariyam received the National Award for Public Service in 1982.

She is survived by her daughter.