Chong Chiu Sen 张秋胜 | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sai Madhana Mohan Kumar |
| Genres | Carnatic music, Indian classical music, Bhajan |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist |
| Instrument(s) | Harmonium |
| Website | Chong Chiu Sen on Facebook |
Chong Chiu Sen[1] is a Malaysian-born Chinese Carnatic vocalist.[2] He was an apprentice of Carnatic musician D. K. Pattammal who also adopted him as her god-grandson[3] and named him Sai Madhana Mohan Kumar.[4]
Chong was introduced to Carnatic music through Bhajans.[5] He started formal training in Bhajan singing under the tutelage of Datin Shanthi Jegathesan and R. Vatsala in Malaysia. Chong was interested in both, playing the harmonium and singing Bhajans. He learned to play the harmonium from Jullius Tan Teck Joo and practiced basic vocal training under Vijayalakshmi Kulaveerasingam from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Subsequently, he studied Bharatha Natyam under Usha Srinivasan and started learning the veena under Sangeetha Kala Acharya, Kalpakam Swaminathan. He had an opportunity to meet Padma Vibhushan, Sangita Kalanidhi, Gana Sarasvati, Smt. D.K Pattammal at her home and sing for her. His rendition of Maha Ganapathim in raga nattai convinced her to accept him as her student. 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. In Malaysia, Chiu Sen is guided by Visalakshi Nityanand and his friend in the USA, Kamalakiran Vinjamuri has been helping him in various aspects of music.
In year 2021, Chiu Sen sought guidance under N. Vijay Siva to continue the Patantaram of the DKP-DKJ School of Music.