in.rediff.com

CHENNAI, INDIA, 25 August, 2005: Twenty-two-year-old Chong Chiu Sen is a young Chinese lad from Kuala Lumpur. His parents being staunch devotees of Satya Sai Baba, Chong’s association with music started at a young age. Though familiar with Chinese religious songs, he was drawn towards Sanskrit bhajanas. With the intention of improving his diction in Sanskrit, he came to Chennai and surprisingly, ended up learning Bharata Natyam. Dance could not quench his thirst for bhajanas. Every teacher he approached wanted a lot of money. “I came here only because of my love for music, with the little money I had saved doing odd jobs.” he says, thinking about those initial difficult days. Disappointed and with the option of returning to Malaysia, Chong glanced through the musicians’ directory one last time. The name that struck him was D. K. Pattammal. The legendary D. K. Pattammal, one of the greatest singers in Carnatic music. He called on her. She was amazed and gladdened to see this young man’s devotion for carnatic music. “He calls me Paatti (Grandmother),” says Pattammal who gave Chong a new identity. He is now Sai Madana Mohan Kumar, and introduces himself as such. He has to make regular visits to Malaysia to work and earn enough to support himself in Chennai. What he cherishes most are his performances at temples. For the moment, he plans to spend as much time as possible with her. “Her only wish is that I become a respected performer in India. I have to try my best to accomplish that.” says Mohan.

Post Views: 632