Ahmed Nashid is one of the best musicians ever to come out of the Maldives and his contribution to the country's most successful band, Zero Degree Atoll, is immense. Despite his ongoing battle against cancer, his talent remains unchanged. He will perform at the benefit concert to be held on December 7 in Colombo to raise funds for his treatment. In his most revealing interview to date, the legend speaks about his musical career and his fight against cancer. Haveeru: What are the most noteworthy events surrounding the formation of Zero Degree Atoll? Nashid: Transport was an issue at the time and it took a long time to reach islands on boats. There was no chance for us to work together as a band either. I requested President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who made it possible for us to register the band at the home ministry under the regulation on 'bandiya' parties and other clubs and associations. It made our operations easy. Later we came under the administration of the information ministry, which was headed by Ibrahim 'Summer Blue' Manik. Haveeru: Were natural sounds used because of a difficulty in getting musical instruments? Nashid: We had the opportunity to use various types of musical instruments. But I told Mohoj that there was no way we could make an album without the use of natural sounds and our ethnic rhythms. Mohoj facilitated that through the help of Husni, then owner of Rannaalhi resort and a close friend of him. We obtained a very old sampler and started travelling to islands to record sounds. We used the sound of thumping of coconut husks instead of bass drum and the sounds of 'baiypolhi' and grinding of spice instead of shaker. We then brought those sound bites into musical formation by separating out the rhythms. It was quite a difficult task at the time. But because we were so passionate about it, it proved to be a fascinating work. We knew we were composing something unique. Haveeru: How did you compose songs for the albums? Nashid: F or our first song Reethi Handhuvaru, we composed the melody before writing the lyrics. But in the songs that followed, we wrote lyrics first and melody later. It proved to be a much better way, as we had a narrative – a storyline on which we could then base the melody. I believe that this is the proper way. Haveeru: What do you believe made Zero Degree Atoll the most popular Maldivian band? Nashid: The assets of any band will be its songs and many Maldivian bands have composed beautiful melodies. We too became successful because we composed some very good songs. At the time, there were no original songs with a local Maldivian flavour. I see every song as a picture. It will be very difficult to take that same picture again with the same colours and cloud formations. Haveeru: Would a future show create as much interest as it did back then? Nashid: The high incidence of gang violence and political gatherings in Male has made it impossible for anyone to attend a music show. I'm not going to waste my time by holding a big show under such circumstances. Many people requested me to change the upcoming Colombo show to Male. But Male doesn't have the kind of environment that can facilitate such an event. Haveeru: Why didn't you release another album after the success of your solo album? Nashid: At that time, I had been considering to move to the US and continue the work from there. Many people told me that I'd be very successful in the States. But due to financial and other constraints, I couldn't make that possible. It isn't easy to get a sponsorship for such an extensive undertaking. Haveeru: Do you listen to the songs of other local and international artists? Nashid: I believe composing music is like painting. If someone else tries to re-colour the painting of an artist, its original expression is lost. I refrain from listening to other musicians because they might influence my thoughts. I listen to my old songs and those I'm currently working on. And since my wife and daughter are singers, I listen to their songs. Haveeru: Do people still express interest in the band's albums? Nashid: The public still support our songs. I think there won't be anyone in Male who doesn't know Dhoni album. But even many resorts buy the pirated copies available at the marketplace. We don't get any income from that. We've asked the police to look into this. A popular Maldivian musician I know in fact renovated his shop twice from money generated by selling pirated copies. I advised him several times to stop that. But he shrugged off that there was no copyright laws in Maldives. Things remain in such a sorry state then and now. Haveeru: What do you think of the songs composed by modern bands? Nashid: Everyone has the right to express oneself – whether it's through speech, painting or song. But it shouldn't be done in a way as to humiliate another. To my best knowledge, no band in Maldives works like that. Political songs should only cover the general issues. And an original song composed by a Maldivian should be considered a local production. Haveeru: What are the obstacles faced by Maldivian bands? Nashid: The only way bands can progress in Maldives is through the tourism industry. But even that is in a sad state. During president Gayoom's administration, there was a regulation that prohibited a resort or hotel from employing a foreign musician. But resorts started to bring in such professionals in the disguise of gardeners and bartenders. And because of that our local musicians didn't get any work. Many resorts would say that they've an in-house Filipino or Thai band. Haveeru: What could be done to solve that problem? Nashid: I request Tourism Minister Adeeb to address the issue. I think the ministry should submit a bill to parliament, making it a requirement that a foreign musician can operate only within a local band. Football also progressed due to Sri Lankans and other nationals playing for our teams. Local bands should also include some foreign talent. For instance, if a resort requires the services of a violinist or saxophonist, a foreigner can't go there all by himself. The local musician who accompanies the foreigner can learn a lot from him. My wish is that, until such legislature can be drawn, the authorities put in some kind of arrangement similar to the regulation under president Gayoom. It's because there's no such provision that local artists are now scattered and can be found mostly whiling away their time on the streets with their acoustic guitars. Haveeru: Do musicians have any opportunity in Maldives? Nashid: The opportunities for musicians exist in the tourism industry. When Mohoj and I first ventured to the tourism industry, there wasn't even a two-piece band. After us came the trio band of Umar Zahir. But we all got many opportunities. We even got a sponsorship from Universal Enterprises, which I'd say, revived western music in the Maldives. I wouldn't be here today if not for the generous assistance of Mohamed 'Koli' Manik and Ahmed 'Koli' Manik. Both 'Champa' Afeef and Bandos [Island Resort] owner Waheed Deen have kindly helped BC Band then and continues to support modern Maldivian bands. Ali Noordeen and Sun Travels owner [Ahmed] Shiyam are also ardent contributors. Haveeru: What do bands need to do to progress in the tourism industry? Nashid: This is the time to go to resorts and identify the songs most favoured by holidaymakers. They now want to listen to popular songs modified to individual musicians' tastes. A lot can also be done now using computers. The most important thing is to make use of the opportunities and maintain great discipline. You need to sleep well and practice regularly. It's also important to be punctual and not engage in any questionable activity while in the resorts. Haveeru: Can you share your experience of cancer? Nashid: To undergo an ear operation in 2008, I went to KK Hospital in Madras with ADK's doctor Nitin. After the surgery, I went through a full-body medical checkup at Apollo Hospital on Dr Nitin's advice. The physician who observed the report told me that there was no problem and that it would suffice to walk for 45 minutes every day. I didn't bother checking the report myself because it's a doctor's task to check the report. After I came here, my mother sent me the x-rays taken from Apollo Hospital. One evening while bored at Nawaloka Hospital I was checking through the x-rays when I noticed the circle around the kidney and the writing that said, "Needs further examination." The first test conducted here showed that it wasn't cancer, but further tests diagnosed me with stage four kidney cancer. Haveeru: How's the treatment progressing? Nashid: The tumour in my brain has shrunk and most of the cancer cells in my lungs have subsided. After ten sessions of radiotherapy, I'm now taking a tablet called Sunitinib, which is the most expensive medicine in the world prescribed for cancer. I'm buying it from India because it's more expensive here. Each tablet costs US$128, totalling a sum of about US$4,000 a month. I've to complete a 28-day cycle and leave an interval of 14 days before starting the next cycle. This is the fifth cycle now. I've asked the Maldivian government to render me some sort of assistance, as a I don't have a huge saving. My friends are very helpful. Haveeru: Are you working on any music at the moment? Nashid: I'm working on a new solo album, which includes songs written by my father before he succumbed to cancer. Now 80 percent of the work has been completed. I can't give an exact release date because I'm here right now. But I'll perform five songs from that at the show to be held in Sri Lanka. Apart from that, I am practising for the upcoming show. Nashid: A legend undeterred - Part I