SATMA awards a success
SINGER Vernon Govender could not contain his excitement when he won the Best Indian Album title at the 12th SA Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng.
The 36-year-old, an HR officer in Port Shepstone, said Bhakthi Sungeedam, his third album release, had taken eight months to finalise before it was recorded.
“I used to practise and record my voice, while in Sheppie, and would send the audio clip to musicians in Durban, who would add in the beats.
“I only met the musicians, Tansen Nepaul, Sivanathan Pillay and Kumaran Raman, when I came to Durban to record the CD,” said Govender.
The Hibiscus Coast resident discovered his passion for traditional music at the age of 11.
“I enjoyed attending service at temples and cultural events and used to listen to Andrew Mark, who is now late, and Punji Naidoo sing and this inspired me. I then began participating in Telugu and Tamil eisteddfods hosted by the Natal Vedic Society and Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa in the language, music and singing categories. This helped define me and added to my spiritual and cultural path.”
He was also inspired by local singer Mahenthri Pillay. “I learnt a lot from her soul-stirring music and saw her as a mentor.”
Govender, who has been singing for 25 years, is working on a Hindi CD. “I have a lot of fans, who want to hear me perform Hindi music.”
Govender runs the Sa Re Ga Ma Music School in Port Shepstone, which gives children and adults harmonium lessons and singing and vocal training.