Memorial for Sonny
RETIRED professor of mathematics and cultural figure Poobalan Pillay will be the guest speaker at the 10-year memorial service for Chatsworth singer Sonny Pillay this weekend.
Poobalan, a senior official of the Divine Life Society, said although it was 10 years since the popular singer had passed away, his loss was still felt in music and religious circles.
“Happily, his memories are kept alive through the superb music and singing abilities of his wife, Saraswathi, and sons, Isai Selvamani Karthigasen Pillay and Poovendran Pillay.”
Sonny Pillay was born into a family of musicians. His father Parusuramen, from India, was an excellent folk singer, he said. His mother Poongavanum also had a musical background and her brothers, especially Narayanan James, were carnatic singers in great demand.
“Sonny Pillay grew up on the Natal North Coast and when he was still in primary school, he began singing English songs. It was not long before his brothers, who were deeply interested in Tamil language and culture, took notice of this and scolded him. He was sent to Tamil school to learn his mother tongue.
“Meanwhile, the young Sonny picked up whatever singing and music lessons he could from his brothers, Johnny, Soobramoney and PG Pillay,” said Poobalan.
He said that in 1962, the Jacobs Road Temple in Clairwood was celebrating its Diamond Jubilee with a concert titled Kovil Isai, a programme of devotional songs, music and dance.
Saraswathi Pillay’s brother, Rennie, who was performing at the concert as a violinist, prevailed on the officials to allow the young Sonny to sing.
“The programme was tight and it was only through the intervention of our great cultural leader and former radio broadcaster, Jugadheesan Devar, who was an official at the temple, that Sonny was given a slot.
“His rendition of Bhakti Kondadavom from the movie Patnathaar, followed by the popular TM Sounderarajan devotional, Karpaga Valli, left the audience at the temple function totally spellbound.
“Before long Sonny was being forced to enter the annual eisteddfod of the Natal Tamil Vedic Society.
“What must indeed be a record is that from 1963, for seven years running, Sonny Pillay scooped one gold medal after another in various song categories.”
Poobalan said that before long the name Sonny Pillay was on everybody’s lips.
“A new singing sensation had been born.
“Besides being a singer of repute, Sonny Pillay also chose not to be selfish and imparted his knowledge and gift to others.”
The tribute service in memory of Sonny Pillay will take place at the Saiva Sithantha Sungum Hall, Westcliff, Chatsworth, this Sunday at 10.30am. F YOU focus hard enough, maths can be a breeze, says Deereshan Naidoo, who boasts an average mark of 95% in the subject.
When it comes to his favourite subject, the 13-year-old Queensburgh resident is quite philosophical.
“Maths just needs you to focus, just like chess. Spend time trying to work out that sum, do not rush it, just like in life. Also understand the problem, as once you do, you will find a way to solve it.”
Drawing parallels with chess comes easy to Deereshan, as he’s something of a master at that, too.
When he returns from India, he has to prepare not only for his exams, but for a national chess tournament in Boksburg during the December holidays.
He told POST that he would come up against stiff competition in India, but was positive he will come back with a silver medal at the least.
The chess fanatic is interested in one day becoming an architect or getting into engineering.
His mother, Colleen Naidoo, a bank employee, said her son sacrificed a lot of time for maths and chess. “We are so proud of him.”
Deereshan’s schoolmate, Josiah Gengan, also 13, has also always loved maths.
“I normally get a good mark of 80% or more in maths and that is all through my parents who always push me to do better,” he said.
Josiah is very excited about going to India for the first time and is hoping to come back with a medal.
“I know it’s going to be hard, plus it’s my first trip ever without my parents, but I guess it’s time to grow up.”
The Pinetown resident, who wishes to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, said maths had always been his favourite subject.
He believes that every child should learn to understand maths, as to him it is a “beautiful subject that just needs to be understood”.
“My parents are so proud of me and I am hoping to come back with something to make them happy, as well as put my school on the map.”