Today’s guest is from a family that Maldivians are very familiar with. A relatively large family by Maldivian standards, the family has brought forward servicemen in fields ranging from fisheries to policy making. The country has seen, professional photographers, lawyers, medical officers, pilots, fisheries experts, tourism experts, experts in the fields of gender, economics, policy making, planning, school management, socio-political research, emergency response, musicians, poets and even experts on cultural arts, from the family.
Although a number of politically influential figures hail from the family, today’s guest is a man, who opts for a more simple way of life. Although not a media staple, he too is not unfamiliar to the local media. Most people know him as a musician. However, today, he shoulders greater responsibilities due to his current position as well.
Today, we look at the life and experiences of 46 year old Shammoon Hameed from H. Meenaz. To make if even more familiar, Shammoon is the son of prominent yesteryear politician Abdulla Hameed. Shamoon has 12 siblings; six brothers and six sisters. While one of his sisters has passed away, Shammon is the 7th of the 12 siblings.
Shammoon started his education at the former Montessori School in Male’ and graduated to Majeedhiya School where he completed secondary school. He then moved to Sri Lanka for further studies before moving to Singapore, where he pursued higher studies in music. Making good of an opportunity he received while in Singapore, he shifted bas to Australia and completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in music, there. At the time, Shammoon was the only Maldivian with a postgraduate degree in the field.
Shammon said that although most people perceive his family as a political family, his family is really a family of musicians. He said that therefore, since he was a little boy, he had avid interest in music. When he was studying at school, he was a member of the school band. He recalled how, after the death of the music teacher at Majeedhiyya School, he took over the responsibility of band leader and instructor. Shammoon plays almost all mainstream musical instruments. He has gained the confidence of many local musicians in Maldives due to his vast theoretical knowledge and practical experience, in addition to his quality products.
Shammon noted that although his whole family supports him in the field, it was Hamdhoon Hameed and prominent lawyer Shaaheen Hameed who supported him the most. He said that it was Shaaheen who first taught him how to play the guitar.
Shammoon said that just after graduation from Majeedhiyaa School, he worked with the marching band of Aminiya School on the school’s request. That was where he composed his first song. He said that even today, that song remains his favorite composition. This was what was developed into the now celebrated patriotic song “Maaiy vi Islam dheena qaumah takaa”. The lyrics were written by his brother and former cabinet minister Hamdhoon Hameed.
“I composed the music fresh out of school. And now, even after what I have learnt in the field and considering my experiences, this composition was very good” he opined.
After completing school, Shammoon made use of several opportunities to conduct the bands of various schools in Male’. He especially noted his work with the English Preparatory School (EPS) in forming the school’s first marching band and his work with the band.
With his appointment as the Music Supervisor at the Ministry of Education, he worked with several school bands, to revive music in the country. Many school songs in schools across the Maldives have been written for Shammoon’s compositions. This include; Dharumavanths School, Muhyidhdheen School, Jamaaludhdheen School, CHSE, Mauhadh, Raa Atoll Education Centre, Ungoofaaru School, Seenu Atoll Education Centre and Hulhumeedhoo School. At the time, Shamooon also served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Maldives Cadet Corps.
Shammoon’s compositions are not just limited to Maldivian Schools. The school song used even today at his alma mater in Sri Lanka, Wycherley International School, is also a composition by Shammoon.
Shammoon does not believe that the local music industry has seen any progress. He said that while the development of the industry has been stifled, new compositions echo the same style.
“If music is composed based only on what they chance to hear, the music would be similar. It also carries a more prominent risk; that of distortion. So the standards that we are feeding the public and its reception will begin to distort. The instruments used throughout the local musical industry need not be used in the same manner all the time”, Shammoon said.
He said that while there are a number of people who wish to pursue education in music, what they need are opportunities. He said that players in the industry have several opportunities both locally and abroad, but noted that it would not be easy for them to make use of these opportunities without assistance from the state. He said that unless the state is willing to spend on the field, music cannot be developed in the country in a sustainable manner.
Immediately after completing his education, Shammon started working as a Director at the National Centre for the Arts (NCA), which at the time was under the wing of Voice of Maldives. When the centre was developed into a school for fine arts and drama, Shammoon was appointed as the head of NCA. Shammoon said that most of the credit of forming NCA and its development should be attributed to the Information Minister at the time, Ibrahim Manik (Samarubuloo Ibrahim Manik). He also emphasized efforts by former Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed and former State Minister Hussein Shihab. As the head of NCA, Shammoon began teaching music, drama and arts classes at NCA’s School of Arts, in accordance with the syllabus of similar institutions abroad. His aim was to make NCA a school, where internationally affiliated examinations could be conducted. He was successful to an extent.
“However, after changes in the government, the government policy was also changed. At the time the government policy was to depend on foreign grants to develop arts or the music industry. As the head of NCA, I did not like that policy. At the time and even now, I do not believe that the industry can be developed in a sustainable manner, without spending for the industry from the state budget”, Shammoon said.
Following these policy changes, Shammoon resigned from his position at NCA. He then worked privately for about an year, before applying for the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives. He believes that he made good progress, working as an Investigation Director at HRCM. When the post of Secretary General became vacant at HRCM, he applied for the position and was selected. He believes that good changes have been brought to the commission, since he became its Secretary General.
When asked if he would consider applying for membership at the commission, Shammoon said that he does not believe that progress is brought by position. He said that successfully carrying out assigned responsibilities is better progress than higher positions. He said that he would always aim to carry out whatever responsibility is assigned to him, in the best possible manner.
“I also see encouragement and opportunities by my superiors during my stints at MAPA, the Ministry of Education and now at HRCM as great successes. I see the opportunities provided to me by members of the commission and my colleagues as a victory”, he said.
He said that working with the HRCM has opened his eyes to new issues surrounding human rights, some of which are heart breaking. He said that there is a lot of work that need to be done in the form of ensuring human rights for all and stressed that the united effort of the commission, state institutions and the society is required to achieve that goal.
“If we are able to work that way, there is nothing in this field that cannot be amended”, Shammoon said.
He said that as the terms of commission members come to a close, he needs to shoulder more responsibilities. He assured that he is trying his best to carry out his duties in the best possible manner.
As his family is filled with political heavyweights we had to ask if Shammoon is interested in politics. Shammoon said that although political issues are constantly discussed in the family, everyone is entitled to their own political decision. He said that although differences arise due to political viewpoints, there has never been a problem that that family has not been able to overcome.
Shammoon is nephew to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom and current president Abdulla Yameen. When asked if his family has any resentment with President Yameen, Shammoon answered in the negative. He said that as his uncle is the current president, he has to face him in two different positions. He said that if and when he has to deal with the president on the professional, he would deal with him professionally. He said however that in matters of the family, he would deal with President Yameen as he would deal with a member of the family.
“President Yameen has never been a very familiar person. We do not meet as such. We have met twice, in our professional capacities, since he assumed office”, said Shammoon.
As a political family, a lot of public criticism is targeted towards the family. Shammoon however said that such while such criticism do not pose any challenges to the family, there are times at which the family feels distressed. He said that, they mostly get distressed when media and members of the public attribute false information to members of the family. He however said that his family has the strength to confront such situations. He also said that, one day, the truth behind such rumors, will be revealed.
Shammoon’s hobbies are playing music and reading. His father is his inspiration. He said that he too wishes to be a father, his children can be proud of. He said that the saddest moment in his life was the death of his mother, and the death of his sister Fathin Hameed just 10 months after his mother’s passing. Tuesday marked two years since his mother’s death.
As a music professional, his talents are best showcased in the music industry. He has composed many melodies to coincide with national events. At just 24 years of age, he received the prestigious President’s Award for Encouragement, for his services to the music sector.
Shammoon attributes his success to his family. He especially thanked his wife Khadheeja Nasra and their three children for their support.
We at VMedia thank Shammoon for his service and wish him success in future endeavors.