Indian culture and music have been widely appreciated across the world, and many foreign artists have taken to learning aspects of Indian art.
One such man is Chong Chiu Sen, a Malaysian-born Chinese classical vocalist whose rendition of the Shankarabharanam raga has been making waves on social media!
Sen is also known as Sai Madhana Mohan Kumar, a name given to him by noted musician DK Pattammal. She is regarded as one of the female trinities of Carnatic music, alongside MS Subbalakshmi and ML Vasanthakumari.
Sen’s first exposure to Carnatic music was at a concert in Malaysia, where he was mesmerised with the performance of E Gayathri, the veena maestro. She later told him that if he wanted to experience Carnatic music in its entirety, he needed to come to Chennai.
So, Sen came to India, where he began learning Bharatanatyam, and also took basic vocal lessons on the side. When he found his calling in music, he began to develop his skills under various gurus. Whether it is ragas or his renditions of popular Carnatic songs, he has wowed audiences with his musical proficiency.
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Sen continues to prove that in the language of art and music, there are truly no barriers or boundaries for what an artist can achieve!
You can watch his performance below!
The Chinese singer Mr Chong Chou Sen singing “Shankarabharanam”
Really great and an awesome experience, it may surprise every Indian. pic.twitter.com/4BQ8lKz3oq— J Nandakumar (@kumarnandaj) May 5, 2018
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)