Dear Editor,

THE New York-based Guyanese Diaspora is poorer for the passing of legendary broadcaster, Eshri Singh. He had made his home in Greater Richmond Hill, Queens.
Eshri has had a passion for broadcasting since a youngster, joining Radio Demerara in the 1960s. He was a true master of his craft; he had the gift of the gab; few had such a pleasant voice that magnetically attracts one’s ears. His voice was distinctive and recognisable. His description of the talent of performers was also spontaneous and entertaining. Besides having a commanding voice, he also had a charming personality and suave looks. He became one of the most sought-after hosts in America. He was versatile and adaptable to any programme, be it formal or casual. He emceed at both types of events. He engaged with audiences of all levels, making him a very much sought-after emcee. He communicated energy and excitement in his voice, which resonates with the type of atmosphere of the show. Eshri kept the audience’s interests in programmes very high, while ensuring the smooth flow of cultural events or radio and TV programmes. Some of his notable emceeing ‘gigs’ include various Independence and Republic Day programmes, festivals, commemorative events, and receptions of visiting Presidents of Guyana and Prime Ministers of Trinidad & Tobago in NY.

I grew up in Guyana listening to his radio programmes during the 1960s and 1970s. He was enormously popular; there was hardly anyone who listened to Indian music and didn’t know his name. Eshri had extraordinary talent, and developed a remarkable broadcasting career, emceeing countless Indian concerts, and radio and TV programmes in Guyana and America. Indians in Trinidad, the UK, and Canada also knew him from their Guyana days; he appeared on several Indian cultural programmes in Toronto and Trinidad, including the popular Mastana Bahar singing and dancing contests. He spoke very fondly of the Mohammed clan of Mohammedville in El Socoro, Trinidad, who were promoters of Indian culture, on radio and TV since the 1960s in Trinidad. He contributed significantly to the institutionalisation of Indo-Caribbean culture and community life among Indo-Guyanese living in New York. He had a presence at countless cultural, religious, and community political events in the greater NY area. He was seen at events where Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan Bharrat Jagdeo, and Donald Ramotar were the main speakers.  I do not think anyone emceed more events than he. I faintly recall his presence as a judge at a Miss Diwali pageant I organised and emceed in the 1980s. He emceed charitable programmes, and was present at the annual Diwali and Phagwah parades in Richmond Hill.

Tens of thousands grew up listening on radio to his very distinct voice on programmes that provided a staple of Bollywood music and songs with birthday requests. No one else had that magnificent, superfluous voice as he did during that period. The Forbes Burnham era saw Eshri and so many of us escaping Guyana, never to return to live. His departure from Guyana was a blessing for Guyanese in NY, as he became a promoter of Indian culture in America. I first met Eshri in New York sometime in the late 1980s through Ramesh Kalicharran, who used his business earnings to fund radio and musical programmes and concerts. I had countless encounters with him thereafter at various events, including cultural programmes that I emceed or organized, including the annual Indian Arrival cultural variety concerts in Richmond Hill. At first, Eshri appeared on radio programmes hosted by other broadcasters, before getting his own programmes on radio and on TV. He was a weekly feature (Saturdays and Sundays) on TV for several hours. There is no question he was the leading emcee and TV broadcaster in the Guyanese Diaspora.

My experiences with Eshri were very warm and friendly. He was very humble. His humility and his voice were his real power. His personal values included respect for others, kindness, compassion, collaboration with other broadcasters and gratitude to those who assisted him, especially during his early years in America. He always had very kind words to describe Mr. Kali, who sponsored Eshri’s trip to India. When Eshri accompanied Kali’s group on a tour to India more than a decade ago, I communicated with him daily for a report on the tour, and used it to pen several articles. He described that India visit as most inspirational, incredibly beautiful, fantastic, and unforgettable. He shared wonderful pictures.
In NY, Eshri condemned the Burnham Government for marginalising Indian culture, and discriminating against Indians in employment practices. He was not very active in the movement in NY against the dictatorship. But he lent his moral support and his voice to those of us who led the struggle in the diaspora.

Many who know Eshri Singh pay generous tribute. Ralph Tamesh, President of the Indo-Caribbean Federation, thanks him for hosting several community events. “He was an icon. His voice was unique, and he is irreplaceable as an emcee,” Ralph said. Guyana Democracy Project President, Dr. Tara Singh stated: “He was an inspiration for several generations. He had a golden voice, and the kind of poise, grace, and tenacity needed in broadcasting and emceeing programmes.” Ashook Ramsaran, President of the Indian Diaspora Council, said Eshri was “a broadcasting pioneer, providing a reassuring voice and connection at a time when it was so critically needed as the community was being established”.
It seems trite to say that Eshri’s voice will be missed, but it’s true. He was a great broadcaster whose skill and trained voice should be emulated.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram