Hanitra is a singer and guitarist from the “red Island” Madagascar. Underpinning her tunes with the charming essence of the island’s rhythms, with hints of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion, she draws on traditional songs to dynamically represent the new Malagasy generation. Her voice, both deep and sensual, leads the way to authentic roots and her interpretation of the ballad “Maninona” has for the past 20 years been considered a sort of national anthem in Madagascar.

Hanitra began singing and playing the guitar at the age of seven. In 1979, she took part in a national competition in which her talent was recognised, and joined with the band Lolo Sy Ny Tariny. She left Madagascar and recorded the first album in France. In 1997 she returned to the Madagascan for a sensational come-back. Hanitra currently lives in Reunion Island and is enthusiastically celebrated by fans all around the Indian Ocean.