Passion’s elite of the Arts- Esha Mohamed

Words by Jumana Shareef

Esha Mohamed was spotted by us on stage at a Maldives Top Model event, singing with a cousin and totally in her element. It didn’t take long to realize how much love she had for the stage, and how much the stage loved her back.

She explained how it was at school performances while in Sri lanka that she discovered her love for the arts. Enthusiastic to boot, she took us back to her most unforgettable performance of ‘Stone Cold’ and of a musical at the British School in Colombo. When not working on an arts project, you may see her vibing with “Parents” by Yungblud and keeping a keen eye and appreciation for the cinematic genius that is Euphoria. Esha says she prefers acting over singing and that singing was something that just came naturally to her.

 “Yeah, I was also involved in a lot of dramas and plays. I like the arts side a lot. So I’d get going and get myself involved a lot, as much as I can” – Esha

Her enthusiasm for performing was also one of the reasons for the move to the United Kingdom. She looked back at the acting gigs in classes that changed her life and said, “I went up there (to perform)  and I thought, Oh my god! This is amazing! this is what I want to do”.

Currently on a gap year, the 19 year-old is recuperating after the tough A-levels. Coming back to Maldives after so many years abroad, Esha is someone whose love for Maldivian arts never dimmed. You could sense her excitement and happiness at all the talent that surrounds her here.

Spot on with her sharp wit, she zoned in on the face of the Maldivian arts industry. “Even though there aren’t many professional institutions to study in, because so many people have a passion for those industries, they are going out and doing their own thing and being successful at it”.

While chatting about any future plans or goals she may have, Esha said, “I’ve never been the kind of person who would ask myself ‘What do I wanna do’, it’s more a question of ‘Who do I wanna be?’ “.

Esha delved deeper into how her love of storytelling and writing has always gone hand in hand with the acting profession.  Esha has already worked with a cousin on a short film as well and eagerly noted, “There are actually a lot of opportunities in the film and music industry here”.

She believes that for most, entertainment at the end of a long day of hard work is their escape from reality. “..and I wanna be a part of that escape by being in the film or having helped make the film that they are watching.. but I would still preferably be acting in it”, she said with her trademark laugh. Although she thinks theater is a wonderfully thrilling experience, she explained that it is her love for the screen and the beauty of film that hasn’t wavered through all these years.

Esha looked back at her time abroad and spoke of that aha! moment when she recognized the homely feeling of being in Maldives. “There is a difference, even when people aren’t speaking. For instance, you step into the airport and can feel the difference when you are surrounded by Maldivians. It’s great”.

Having been fortunate enough to study in an international school in Sri lanka and then gone on to the UK, Esha is one of those people who recognizes the privilege humbly. “I’m also so thankful to have met so many different people from so many different cultures and backgrounds where I am now able to think, ‘Okay, not everyone is the same, but that’s okay because they are still good people’ “.

When talking about the thrills of live performance, Esha says that there is nothing better than an interactive audience. “Anything artistic always truly connects people. When the audience interacts with you, even though you have no clue who they are, you don’t know where they come from, you guys connect. That’s the best part about performing”