An article on the life of the late Shiva Padiachi will appear soon!
What made Shiva Padiachi special was not his music which was special but his interaction with those around him which was very special. He was a very dear friend and fellow musician, multi talented, whom I will certainly miss dearly.
We will all miss him because he brought out the best in all of us without exception. He had the patience that only very good teachers have and was able to spot and nurture talent as only good teachers can.
We will miss him because he complimented us in both tangible and very subtle ways. He complimented our talent with the additional dimension his music and personality brought to any musical performance and occasion.
The number of his students who are now up-and-coming young musicians is testimony to his unstinting efforts in promoting his music to all those who were willing and had the hunger to learn music. Young artists like Vilasen are a testament to his hard work.
Many of you will have had many beautiful moments with him and I invite you to share your experiences of him with us so that we can remember the warm gentle gifted and truly beautiful human being that was Shiva Padiachi.
Please use the ‘Contact Us’ section to submit your comment or contribution. If you need any help or have any photos or audio clips that you would like me to upload please send me a note and I will contact you to assist. I intend to upload some selected pieces of music on the violin Saxophone etc and any music you have will be most gratefully accepted for this site.
After reaching out on Facebook yesterday, 5th April 2023, I got this lovely first response, the response from my dear friend Vijaysagren Phillips and inserted unedited.
Vanakkam Radha.I met Shiva when he was a young lad in 1969, when I sang with the Ranjeni Orchestra, led by his late father, the maestro, Vela Padayachee. Many years later I was accompanied by Shiva and his brother at the Shiva temple in Rainbow Valley on Lenz. He was masterful as a pakkavaadhiyam. On his passing on, I attended his funeral. An everlasting memory of Shiva , was his humility, respectful nature and mastery on the violin and teaching qualities on all musical instruments people showed interest in. Vijaysagren Phillips.
