Chong Chiu Sen

Chong Chiu Sen[1] is a Malaysian-born Chinese vocalist. He was an apprentice of Carnatic musician D. K. Pattammal who also adopted him as her god-grandson[2] and named him Sai Madhana Mohan Kumar.[3]

Chong Chiu Sen
张秋胜
Background information
Also known asSai Madhana Mohan Kumar
GenresCarnatic music, Indian classical music
Occupation(s)Vocalist
InstrumentsHarmonium
WebsiteChong Chiu Sen on Facebook

Biography

Chong was introduced to Carnatic music through Bhajans.[4] He started formal training in Bhajan singing under the tutelage of Datin Shanthi Jagadeesan and R. Vatsala in Malaysia. Chong was interested in both, playing the harmonium and singing Bhajans. He learned to play the harmonium from Sri Jullius Tan Teck Joo and continued Bhajan training with Vijayalakshmi Kulaveerasingam.

Subsequently, he studied Bharatha Natyam under Usha Srinivasan and started learning the veena under Sangeetha Kala Acharya, Kalpakam Swaminathan. He had a series of negative experiences with instructors who cheated him of his savings, but eventually found D.K Pattammal. However, during their meeting her husband advised her to not accept him as a student because of her deteriorating health. Before he left, Pattammal asked him to sing for her and his rendition of Maha Ganapathim in raga nattai convinced her to accept him. She later adopted him as her god-grandson and name him Sai Madhana Mohan Kumar. After 2006, Chiu Sen continued his music lessons under Pattammal's granddaughter, Gayathri Sundararaman.

Major performances and awards
  • In 2019, Chong received the title ‘GAANA GANDHARVA’ bestowed by ICC & Temple, Memphis, TN, USA.[5]
  • On 10 March 2018, Chong was the recipient of The Outstanding Person Award for Promoting Culture given by AIKYA Oneness through music | Global Adjustments Foundation.[6]
  • On 27 November 2015, he received an award from Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj for the Pt. Jasraj — Rotary Club of Hyderabad Award for Cross Cultural Understanding in Hyderabad.[7]
  • On 21 November 2013, he performed during Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 88th birthday celebration in Puttaparthi.[8][9]
  • On 1 January 2006, he performed in the 79th Annual Conference of The Music Academy in Chennai.[10]
  • On 12 November 2005, he performed during the 32nd National Festival Spirit of Unity concerts for the Universal Integration Committee.

References
  1. "8 Talented Foreigners Who Are So Good at Indian Classical Music They Would Put Many of Us to Shame!". The Better India. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  2. Warrier, Shobha. "This Chinese sings in Sanskrit". Rediff. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  3. "DK Pattammal | A Loving Teacher". www.dkpattammal.org. Retrieved 4 December 2020..
  4. "The Bliss of Bhajan Offerings at Thy Lotus Feet". media.radiosai.org. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  5. "Vocal Concert by Chong Chiu Sen". Carnatic America. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  6. "Musical notes for future leaders". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  7. NAIDU, JAYWANT (29 November 2015). "Connecting through music". deccanchronicle.com/. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  8. "The Prasanthi Reporter: Chiu Sen's Carnatic Concert and SSSIHMS Anniversary…".
  9. "Malaysian Chiu Sen enthrals with Carnatic music". deccanchronicle.com/.
  10. "Archives". The Star.
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