Edava Basheer (1943-2022) was a well-known Indian playback vocalist, guitarist, and choir director who worked primarily in the Malayalam music industry.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Edava Basheer was born on December 2, 1943 (age 78 at the time of death) in a parish in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district. His astrological sign was Sagittarius. He spent over two decades at the Sam Geethalaya at Kollam’s Kadapakkada Prathibha Junction.
His parents were Lt. Adul Azeez and Fathimakunju. Rasheeda and Rahana were his two spouses. He had five children from his two marriages. His children’s names are Bhima, Ullas, Ushas, Sweeta, and Unmesh.
EDUCATION
He attended a parish for basic and secondary education before enrolling in Christuraj School in Pattathanam for the 10th grade. His love in music blossomed when he discovered some vintage Yesudas and Mohammad Rafi records and record players that his father had acquired from abroad. During his scholastic days, he won various music awards. He studied classical music with Ratnakaran Bhagwatar and Vechoor Harihara Subramaniam. In 1972, he received his Ganabooshanam, or academic degree in music, from the Swathi Thirunal Music Academy in Thiruvananthapuram. While studying at Swathi Thirunal Music Academy, he sung in chants and founded the All Kerala Musicians and Technicians Association with his companions.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
CAREER
He became a professional vocalist after completing his Ganabooshanam in 1972. His choir grew in popularity. Basheer has performed with companies such as Raga Bhavan and Blue Diamonds. He rose to prominence by establishing the ‘Sangeethalaya’ music troupe in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, which was inaugurated by his idol, K.J. Yesudas, a well-known Malayalam singer. He also sang background vocals for several Malayalam songs. In 1978, he made his playback singing debut with the song Veena Vaayikkum in director Adoor Bhasi’s film Raghuvamshami. ‘Azhithira Malakal Azhalinte Malakal’ and ‘Vani Jayaram’ for the Malayalam film ‘Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootham’ are two of his other memorable songs. He was also a regular performer at various Kerala temple festivals. His song ‘Akasaroopini, Annapoorneswari,’ which honours the goddess Durga, was one of the most requested throughout his theatrical performances. His unique innovations in his performances constantly astounded his audience. According to legend, he was the first person in Kerala to perform on stage with cutting-edge musical instruments such as the accordion. In addition, he was the first to include Yamaha’s synthesiser, mixer, and echo into the music system. He employed a variety of Western and Eastern musical instruments, including Corg’s Japanese mini synthesiser, Yamaha’s echo mixer, double-deck keyboard and organ, 12-string guitar, Roland’s rhythm composer, Jupiter synthesiser, and piano accordion, all of which were novel to Malayalee listeners at the time.
He performed at many events all over the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, European countries, Middle Eastern countries, and Far Eastern nations.
DEATH
On Saturday, May 28, 2022, Edava Basheer ascended to his celestial dwelling. On Saturday night, he fainted while performing at an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of a popular music ensemble, Bhima’s Blue Diamond Orchestra. The event took place in Alappuzha, Kerala. He collapsed on stage while performing the Hindi song ‘Mana Ho Tum Behad Haseen’ by K.J. Yesudas from the 1977 film Toote Khilone. The event was halted, and he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On Sunday, May 29, 2022, his funeral was held at Kadappakada Juma Masjid. Edava Basheer’s untimely death saddened all of his followers and the whole music industry. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his sympathies on the death of Edava Basheer, saying, “The demise of Edava Basheer, who played a major part in popularising ‘ganamela,’ is a big loss to the music industry.”
