Pall bearers carrying the body of the late Ravindra Bhai Patel before leaving for the crematorium the past Wednesday.
NADI
At the helm of Fiji’s oldest music and video company South Pacific Recordings, Ravindra Bhai Patel was instrumental in providing a platform to countless aspiring musicians.
Amongst those who paid tribute to Mr Patel past week is artist Gilman Lasaisuva, president of the Western Musicians and Entertainers Association.
Remembering Patel
“It’s a great loss to countless musicians and composers who looked up to him for moral support and guidance, by way of tackling anti piracy policies and his straightforward humanitarian aid to musicians and entertainers alike throughout Fiji and abroad,’’ Mr Lasaisuva said.
Another renowned Fijian musician and member of the Fiji Performing Rights Association, Seru Serevi, said he owed his success in the recording industry to Mr Patel.
“I have fond memories of this great man. We had a bond that even in our differences that bond has always kept our friendship together.SPR is not the same without Ravindra,’’ he reminisced.
Mr Patel died at the Suva Private Hospital last Sunday evening, aged 74, and was farewelled by friends, colleagues and relatives at the Wailoaloa crematorium in Nadi on Wednesday afternoon.
SPR recording engineer and secretary of the Western Musicians and Entertainers Association Rusiate Ledua commended Mr Patel’s legacy and the instrumental role he played in the development of Fiji’s music industry.
“Mr Patel was very passionate about local music and went to great lengths protecting the intellectual property of local music, and was very vocal in fighting piracy in the country. Musicians and artist will surely miss him,’’ Mr Ledua added.
Amongst the prolific artists and bands that recorded under Mr Patel’s SPR platform were Lagani Rabukawaqa, Kabu ni Delai Kade, Laisa Vulakoro, Seru Serevi and Black Rose.
Mr Patel is survived by his wife, son Romil Patel and granddaughter.
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