DURBAN - ICONIC KwaZulu-Natal musician, composer and singer Ustadravi Isseri, 89, died at the weekend surrounded by his family at his home in Shallcross.
He leaves behind his three children, Vivek, Shakeel and Vishaani Isseri, and five grandchildren.
Isseri’s career began at the age of 8 in his father Ishwarpasadh’s drama and music production Dhoka Ka Khoon, which was staged at the Durban City Hall in 1942. The aim of the production was to engage the community in the learning of indigenous languages and to promote Indian classical music through song, dance and drama.
Later on, he enrolled at the Nagari Pracharni Sabha School in Springfield to improve his knowledge of music and the arts, and become a renowned professional musician. He ended up teaching music in Hindi at the school.
Later, the city council donated a site in Dahlia Road to honour and promote the arts. The space was used for rehearsals until the community was able to raise funds to build there.
Isseri was the first South African Indian artist to record on the Colombian label EMI. In 1976, he was appointed as a music lecturer at the then University of Natal, Westville, now the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
In the mid-1980s Isseri completed his Master’s degree in music at the Gandharva Maha Vidhayalaya in the state of Gujarat in India after a Johannesburg businessman, Daybhai Patel, sponsored his studies.
In 1994, he performed at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president, with his two sons.
He also performed at the SABC relaunch at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg in 1995. Among others, Isseri collaborated with Hugh Masekela, PJ Powers, Nico Carstens, Ray Phiri and Hristo Cardjiev.
Isseri’s son Shakeel, a creative arts subject adviser at the Department of Education offices in uMlazi, was holding his father when he died.
He said his father must be remembered as a pioneer.
“He was an innovator, a … artist with immense gratitude that he displaced for the love of his music. He shared that with the diversity of South Africans. He was able to connect communities and created opportunities for everyone to interrelate.
“He loved peace and respected every artist regardless of age and experience. He shared his love with the world. Therefore, he must be celebrated because he was a season living legend.
“In our minds and hearts he will continue to be a living legend. We have invested ourselves with the knowledge that he shared with us. We are going to continue to uphold the music that he has been promoting,” Shakeel said.
He said the family believed he passed on peacefully.
“He had no illness, but a peaceful passing at home. We are certain he is in a good place because we believe he had this connectivity with the power of higher and beyond.
“He was very spiritual. There was no need for a doctor and he had no pains or illness. He even said bye to the family by raising his hand.”
The India South Africa Pageant Committee gave Isseri a lifetime award for his achievements as a musician.
He will be laid to rest on Saturday. The service will be held at the Clare Estate Main Hall.
Daily News