Chong Chiu Sen

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

Biography
Chong was introduced to Carnatic music through Bhajans. 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * On 21 November 2013, he performed during Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 88th birthday celebration in Puttaparthi.
 * On 1 January 2006, he performed in the 79th Annual Conference of The Music Academy in Chennai.
 * On 12 November 2005, he performed during the 32nd National Festival Spirit of Unity concerts for the Universal Integration Committee.