DUBAI A tribute song rendered by a Dubai woman has struck a rare chord among residents as they mark the 43rd National Day celebrations.
Indian expatriate and singer Maya Venus, who is also an entrepreneur and film producer and director, said her song Long Live the UAE is a tribute to a country that had given her everything she could dream of.
Local backdrops
The video of the song, which has been posted on YouTube, has Maya clad in traditional Emirati attire singing against local backdrops. Besides the 128,000-plus views it received since it was posted on YouTube on November 29, residents within the community, quick to relate to the sentiment, have caught on to the catchy lyrics.
“We are blessed to be a part of the mighty UAE, and we say it from the heart, this is the place to be …,” says one of the verses followed by an Arabic chorus with an English translation - Long live the UAE.
Another verse goes: “Sunshine and sea and all the luxury, oh what a beautiful life, fortunes to meet, and sand beneath my feet, it’s my living paradise, land of opportunity, we’re a global family, living in security, love and harmony.”
Maya said: “The video gave me a genuine opportunity to say thank you to the UAE for allowing me to be who I am and fulfilling my dreams.”
A crew of 40 from the UAE, UK and India helped her create the four minute piece. “The song was composed and recorded in India and the UK and we shot the video here over the past month.”
Based in Dubai for over 10 years, Maya’s talents extend not just to singing but also branding, advertising, film production and direction. She said she has studied in Hollywood and has some documentaries and short films to her credit.
