Honour for celebrated local musician and educator

AT JUST four years old, Deshan “Styler” Naidoo embarked on a lifelong journey into music, learning to play the tabla under the watchful guidance of the late tabla vidwan guru, Gopalan Govender.

- LUTHO PASIYA

By the age of six, he was singing alongside his parents, Beama and Sushiela Naidoo, established performers in their own right.

His passion for music flourished, culminating in the recording of his first song at the age of eight, under the nurturing arm of his mother.

Fast-forward to today, and Naidoo has emerged as an internationally acclaimed musician, producer, songwriter and music tutor, garnering accolades from all corners of the globe.

The Phoenix-born artist marked his first international concert in 2018 in Chennai, India.

“It was just mind-blowing,” he recalled, “being in another country performing to an unknown audience and being backed by great musicians.”

Now, Naidoo returns to India’s vibrant music scene to receive the coveted Global Maestro Award presented by Logu Innisai Geetham - an honour he believes signifies more than personal triumph.

In an interview with