Dr TP Naidoo Born on July 4, 1933, “TP” grew up in Tongaat, KZN, in a large extended family. Dr Naidoo was widely known in the Durban Indian community and further afield throughout South Africa. He founded the Indian Academy of South Africa in 1960. For more than five decades Dr TP Naidoo has been steadfastly involved in the promotion and propagation of the Indian performing arts through song, music and dance on stage. He is a cultural icon and one of the most outstanding commentators on Hinduism and Hindu volumes.
For over 50 years, Dr Naidoo has been editor and publisher of the glossy journal, The Indian Annual, and the Heritage Series brochure in later years. His annual Diwali Hamper distribution surpassed thousands of food hampers. He has also raised hundreds of thousands of rands for many deserving causes.
Dr Naidoo has been recognized for his contribution with doctorates, trophies and citations as well as South African and international awards. A further major recognition came in 2009, when he was presented with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in New Delhi by the President of India for his contribution to the support of Indian culture outside of India.
When TP received his eThekwini Living Legends Award he said, “It is such a wonderful reward to be recognized by your own city, the city of your birth. What a wonderful way to regard your lifetime of work. Recognition is such an important thing, and recognition in pursuit of good work I think must always be dear to the heart of man.”
Dr TP Naidoo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on the morning of Thursday, May 10 2012.