IN the pulsating heart of Malaysia's vibrant music scene, there was a beat that stood out, a rhythm that resonated deeper than most.
It was the beat of Lewis Pragasam, a maestro whose drumsticks danced to the rhythm of life itself.
Born in 1949, Pragasam's journey into the world of music was not just a career; it was a passionate pilgrimage, a quest to fuse the East with the West, to create a symphony of cultures that echoed across continents.
Imagine this: The stage is set, the lights dim, the crowd hushes, and then, the magic begins. Pragasam, with his sticks in hand, was not just playing the drums; he was telling a story, a story of his Malaysian heritage, of jazz fusion melodies, and of a love that transcended boundaries.
His band, Asiabeat, founded in 1979, was a testament to this love. With each album – from their groundbreaking debut in 1983 to the evocative Monsoon in 1994 – they weren't just making music; they were crafting a legacy, blending Asian ethnic rhythms with the soul of Western jazz.
Pragasam's life was a tapestry of collaborations with legends like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and John McLaughlin. Each partnership was a brushstroke on the canvas of his career, adding depth, colour, and emotion to his musical journey.
He wasn't just a drummer; he was a visionary, a mentor, and a guardian of the musical arts. Through his education initiatives, he didn't just teach notes and beats; he instilled a passion for music in the hearts of the young, ensuring that his beat would continue to pulse in the veins of future generations.
But then, in an instant, the beat stopped. During a performance at a church – a place that couldn't have been more fitting for his ascent to heaven – Pragasam's heart gave its final beat.
The shock of his sudden collapse reverberated through the crowd, leaving a silence that was as loud as his music. It was a tragic yet poetic end to a life so vibrantly lived, a final encore in the most divine of venues.
Pragasam died doing what he loved, close to God, in a place of worship where the spiritual and musical realms met.
Behind the scenes, Pragasam was a man of humility and warmth. His acts of kindness were as rhythmic as his music, often helping those in need quietly, without seeking the spotlight.
His love for home-cooked meals, especially his favourite chicken assathi, was a melody of its own, bringing together friends and family in harmony around the dinner table.
His life was a symphony of beats, melodies, and acts of love – a symphony that played its final note far too soon.
Today, as Malaysia mourns the loss of Lewis Pragasam, it celebrates the rhythm he left behind. His music, his legacy, and his spirit live on, echoing through the streets of Malaysia and beyond.
In every beat of a drum, in every fusion of East and West, in every act of kindness, Pragasam's rhythm plays on, immortalised in the hearts of those who knew him and those who were moved by his music.
Rest in peace, Lewis Pragasam – your beat goes on.
And Lewis, when you get together for a jam, say "Hi" to Paul Ponnudurai, another Malaysian legend whose strings and voice touched the hearts of many and whose spirit continues to inspire.
ABBI KANTHASAMY
Kuala Lumpur
