R. RASMAADHOO BODUBERU GROUP DRUMS TO VICTORY
IN THE FOUR SEASONS SAQAAFE VAADHA
YOUTH BODUBERU CHALLENGE 2012

Baa Atoll, Maldives, 2 September 2012: R. Rasmaadhoo Boduberu Group, a group of 25

boduberu performers from  Rasmaadhoo, have been crowned champions of the  Four

Seasons Saqaafee Vaadha Youth Boduberu Challenge 2012.

Held at Baa Kamadhoo on August 31 and September 1  2012, the Grand Finale  saw  three

groups of performers aged 15 to 25 years old compete across five songs and two traditional

dances for a prize of MRF 100,000 to fund a community project and MRF 10,000 cash for

themselves.

A panel of 4 judges – Ali Ahmed,  President of Varutha Cultural Association;  Mohamed

Areef, Vice-President of Varutha;  Hassan Thaufeeq,  Associate; and  Fazloon Hameed,  cofounder of Varutha  – awarded R. Rasmaadhoo Boduberu Group the highest overall score

for drumming, dancing and singing based on cohesion, authenticity and originality. The event

came to a rousing end on September 1 with many of the local islanders joining in the fiesta.

The Challenge was organised by Four Seasons Resorts Maldives in conjunction with Male‟-

based cultural arts institution, Varutha. Now in  its second year  – and expanded to

incorporate the youth of the Baa,  Raa, Noonu and Lahviyani atolls  – the event celebrates

the Maldives‟ rich cultural heritage and the role of local youth in preserving it.

Speaking at the end of the tournament, Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President of Four

Seasons Resorts Maldives, paid tribute to the commitment, enthusiasm and talent of all the

participating groups:  “My heartfelt thanks to all the participants and their parents for

supporting them. This is what  it is all about: the Maldivian youth carrying their  culture

forwards with passion and pride. Next year we hope to extend the Challenge to youngsters

from the whole country – there is so much talent to celebrate.”The Organising Committee of the  Four Seasons  Saqaafee Vaadha Youth Boduberu

Challenge 2012 wish to thank and congratulate all the participating groups: R. Rasmaadhoo

Boduberu Group, R. Rasmaadhoo; Orchid Boduberu Group, R. Meedho; Furamendhan, R.

Maduvvari; YAMAK, Kamadhoo; Landaa Drums, Landaa Giraavaru.

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives:

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives  span two distinct island resorts  – Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda

Huraa  – linked by the Four Seasons Explorer catamaran. Long-dedicated to the protection and

preservation of the local environment and the communities that reside within it, the Resorts

environmental and cultural projects range  coral reefscaping, fish breeding and turtle protection to

the Four Seasons Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme and Four Seasons Saqaafee Vaadha Youth

Boduberu Challenge 2012.

Varutha came into existence in 2007 when the prominent and popular „Meenaz‟ boduberu group

recognised the need for a formally registered and organised institution to study, train, and revive the

dying cultural arts of the Maldives.  Varutha symbolises a unique mix of authenticity, creativity, and

sophistication previously unseen in this field. The current popularity of boduberu is testament to

Varutha‟s success in breeding talented youth with the trademark blend of fundamental technique and