Surabjit Jaybelly Baldeo, a noted South African musician of Indian origin, has died at the age of 66.
Popularly known as 'Barry' Baldeo, the guitarist, who passed away on Sunday morning, was a key participant in almost every Indian musical show in South Africa, according to close friends and collaborators.
"His last performance was at our Tamil New Year Concert in Midrand on Saturday," said organiser Lexy Shunmugan of SA Musicians Against Covid.
"Barry played an instrumental role in setting up the equipment, rehearsing with the band and singers, and then playing in the performance. He was a perfectionist whose skill on the range of guitars that he played was unmatched. What we will remember him best for is his gentle demeanour and his determination to always assist younger musicians to hone their skills,” Shunmugan added.
Baldeo endeared himself to colleagues and listeners at the East Wave Radio where he worked his way through the ranks to become the station manager.
"His leadership and commitment significantly advanced the station's growth... SJ's vibrant personality and camaraderie were instrumental in promoting an organised team spirit, particularly amidst evolving regulatory landscapes in community radio," said Vikash Maharagh, current head of the station.
The late musician is said to have stepped up as a guitarist for one of the performances of late ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas when he and his brothers Manhar and Nirmal toured Johannesburg in 2012.
"It's rare that our artists get an opportunity to play a full show with musicians from India, and to get praise like that from someone like Pankaj Udhas was a special feather in the cap of Barry,” said another veteran of the local entertainment industry, Anil Rambaran.
Paying tribute to Baldeo, the South African Tamil Federation said the musician was a bridge builder who participated in countless community events, "threading together the diverse cultures that coexisted".
"We pay tribute to such a gentleman, who was always considered with great respect and was widely recognised for his contribution to the music fraternity. We have lost a true legend,” the federation said in its statement.
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Big B defends his choice to praise Abhishek openly and others privately
Amitabh Bachchan reveals why he praises Abhishek publicly but not Jaya or Aishwarya
Quick highlights:
Amitabh Bachchan has responded to online comments asking why he often praises son Abhishek Bachchan on social media but not wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, or daughter Shweta. The actor explained that while he chooses to support Abhishek publicly, he honours the women in his family privately, saying he prefers to respect them “in his heart.”
Bachchan defends Abhishek praise, addresses fan remarks online
The 81-year-old actor, who regularly shares photos and thoughts with fans, recently posted images of himself meeting admirers outside his Mumbai home, Jalsa. Captioned “Yes, I praise Abhishek. So?”, the post sparked comments from users questioning why he doesn’t do the same for Jaya, Aishwarya, or Shweta.
Responding directly, Bachchan wrote, “Yes, I shall praise them in my heart… not publicly… respect for the ladies.” His reply quickly circulated across platforms, with many praising his thoughtful answer. Others pointed to his tendency to engage more often when defending Abhishek, especially around film releases.
Bachchan also shut down a user accusing him of having “paid fans,” bluntly replying, “Prove it! You are small-minded… why don’t you pay and get fans too?” When another person mocked those waiting outside his home as “unemployed,” he replied with characteristic wit: “So give them a job? When they stand at the gate of Jalsa, they are EMPLOYED in love.”
Actor remains active on social media while juggling film projects
Bachchan has become increasingly interactive online in recent years, often directly responding to criticism and fan feedback. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy that released earlier this month. Jaya Bachchan appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, while Aishwarya Rai was part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Despite the online chatter, Amitabh continues to walk his own path, on-screen and online.