In Loving Memory of Ashish Joshi

Ashish Joshi was first and foremost a family man: a beloved husband to Ashika; a devoted father to their three children, Akhil, Kashmira and Samiksha; a cherished son and son-in-law; a loving brother and brother-in-law; an uncle; a treasured friend; and an accomplished musician whose life touched people across generations and cultures.

The son of Prof. Pankaj Joshi and the late Nazeeha Joshi of Laudium, Pretoria, Ashish passed away on 12 August 2026, leaving a legacy of music, friendship, and unwavering love. He will be remembered not only for his musical achievements, but also for his generosity of spirit, humility, warmth, and the joy he brought into every room he entered.

Ashish’s musical journey began at a young age with guidance from respected teachers Anil Rambaran, Jeram Bhana, and Haren Tanna, but much of his gift was self-taught, shaped by natural instinct, a disciplined ear, and an
effortless feel for rhythm and melody. At just nine years old, during a private session at the Joshi residence, he played informally with Anup Jalota, who recognised his talent and inspired him to continue his training. He later completed four years of classical training and shared his music at religious and spiritual gatherings, including RISHI, the Ramakrishna Institute of Spirituality and Hinduism. For Ashish, music was more than performance; it was a spiritual offering.

At the age of 17, Ashish joined the world music quartet Aavaaz, marking one of the early milestones in his musical journey. A few years later, he and Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades formed the duo Strings & Skins, recording their first album in 1999 and performing across Pretoria, Southern Africa, and beyond. These formative experiences helped shape a musical life defined by collaboration, curiosity, and a deep openness to different cultures, sounds, and traditions.

Alongside his growing musical career, Ashish pursued studies in information technology at Pretoria Technikon and worked in the IT sector from 1999 to 2012. Music, nevertheless, remained his constant passion and creative outlet, and he continued to perform, record, and collaborate with fellow musicians while working in IT.

Ashish’s distinctive musical voice was shaped by his ability to blend Indian tabla rhythms with Western, African, and Middle Eastern musical traditions. A gifted multi instrumentalist, he played the tabla, dholak, santoor, keyboard, harmonium, congas, cajón, darbuka, and djembe with ease and sensitivity. Those who performed alongside him often marvelled at how naturally he could listen, improvise, and make the music feel entirely his own.

By 2011, Ashish’s artistry had received national recognition when he was nominated for a South African Music Award in the category of Best Instrumental Album for In the Clouds. In 2013, after years of balancing his professional IT career with his musical calling, he followed his innermost passion and became a full-time independent musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.

Throughout his career, Ashish contributed to projects including Strings & Skins, Vivid Afrika, Jika Nelanga, Sur Banditz, Architects of Underground Music, In the Clouds, Timescapes, and, most recently, Sri Gauri Lila. His reputation as a versatile, intuitive, and deeply respected percussionist led to collaborations with many accomplished South African musicians, including Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades, Steve Newman, Tony Cox, Gito Baloi, McCoy Mrubata, Neo Muyanga, DJ Bob, Johnny Clegg, Rob Watson, Wendy Oldfield, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Pops Mohamed, and others.

Ashish also performed internationally. His notable appearances included the Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival in Rome, Italy; the Zanzibar International Film Festival; and performances before audiences in Seychelles, Réunion Island, Lesotho, and other destinations. In South Africa, his notable performances included Tings ‘n Times, where he played with many artists, including international musicians Bob Brozman of the United States and René Lacaille of Mauritius, as well as Oppikoppi, the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, The Hangout, and the Nirox Jazz Festival.

Over the course of his career, Ashish released a rich and diverse body of work, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with fellow musicians. His recordings included Jika Nelanga, In the Clouds, Timescapes Volumes I–III, Stash, For the Belief in Me, Live.Love.Life, Diwali, Juicy Lemons, and Live at the Mahogany Room, among others. He also contributed to the music of the South African film Free State and collaborated with Wendy Oldfield as sound engineer and co producer on the release of her song, A Reminder to the World.

On hearing of Ashish’s passing, fellow musicians expressed a profound sense of loss. Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades reflected that he and Ashish had made wonderful music together for over 30 years, describing it as a “lifetime of beautiful music and experiences that he would treasure forever.” Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse remembered Ashish as “a very special, rare breed of musician”, while Wendy Oldfield recalled him as full of laughter and fun, with music running through him and expressed through everything around him. Their words reflected what so many already knew: Ashish was not only an exceptional musician but also a remarkable human being.

For those fortunate enough to know Ashish, the memories are endless: music drifting from a rehearsal room, laughter after a performance, conversations that stretched late into the night, and the unmistakable rhythm of
his tabla. He lived with passion, loved deeply, and gave generously through his music, friendship, humor, and love for family.

While we grieve the loss of Ashish’s physical presence, we find comfort in knowing that his music, spirit, and love continue to resonate through family, friends, fellow musicians, and audiences around the world. His final performance may have ended, but the echo of his life’s song will remain with us forever.

“When words fail, music speaks. Through his music, Ashish will continue to speak to us for generations to come.”

Hari Om Tat Sat!
-Family.