Mrs Leela Reddy with Surendran at one month old, outside their house in Clarence Road, Durban, April 1962.
(This and all other photos courtesy Heike Asmuss.)
i was born in a hospital in durban, south africa at lunchtime on the 9th of march 1962. time, as douglas adams points out in 'the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy' is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so. when such a distinguished writer says something like this how can i be sure that i exist at all? hang on a moment while i pinch myself … (‘autobio2009’)
Surendran Reddy was a larger-than-life musician and personality, whose more than 100 compositions represent an extraordinary period in South Africa's history - before, during, and after the end of apartheid. In this biographical overview, we are unable to give him the benefit of the doubt of his own existence, but we do often give him a chance to have his say. For he not only composed prolifically, he also left us many beautiful and often quirky writings in which he reflects upon his struggles, his life, and his times.
After his birth in Durban, South Africa, Surendran immigrated one month later to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with his parents Dr. Y.G. Reddy and Mrs. Leela Reddy. He and his brother, Rajen, born three years later, attended Robert Tredgold Primary School and Founders High School, where Surendran excelled academically.
