Sunday, February 19, 2006

Tessa Naidu-Rising Mauritian Star

Name: Tessa Jennifer Naidu
DOB: 09/12/1977
Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
Parents: Mary Rose Milate (Castel) and René Marcel Naidu (Port Louis)
Grandparents: Roger and Rita Milate & Samuel and Helena Naidu

Mary Milate and René Naidu met and married in Glasgow, Scotland where they had both gone to from Mauritius to study nursing.

Tessa was born in 1977 in Glasgow, but soon after, the family moved to the north of England where Tessa lived till she was 8 years old. The Naidu family emigrated to Adelaide in 1986 and then moved to Melbourne in 1998 where they settled in Wantirna South. Tessa has a younger brother Vince-Lee who was born in Adelaide and is now 18.

Tessa has always loved singing since a young age. Her first memory of singing, was along to songs from “Top of the Pops’ which would drive her parents mad. It was during her time in the choir at her Adelaide secondary school that Tessa developed her singing skills and had a chance to take part in recording in a real studio. Tessa’s music teacher used to tell her that she had a great ear for music and despite not being professionally trained in reading or writing music Tessa was able to memorise pieces of music on keyboard, guitar and drums.

Tessa enjoys a wide range of music and attributes this to her father, René’s influence who encouraged her from a young age to appreciate all types of music – from R’n’B to Soul, alternative, world, dance, rock and of course sega.

Tessa’s first memories of sega are dancing and singing for whole weekends at friends’ houses in England. Tessa says her first memory is dancing to Viré Mama. Tessa says that her favourite kind of sega is the raw, typique sega – “the kind that you sing by the beach or on a bus picnic with family and friends” she notes. And each time Tessa visits Mauritius – seven times since she was 3, she has a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Her mother is one of 10 brothers and sisters and her father one of 7. Tessa remarks “there are so many cousins, it’s great!”

Tessa says that she first picked up the créole language on her first trip to Mauritius at the age of 3. “ I picked up the swear words first, but then when I came home to England I spoke only créole – when we got back to England, mum had to keep me at home to re-learn English!” This has helped Tessa to be fluent in the créole language, which in turn provides that a Glasgow-born, English-raised Australian can sing sega so well!

“People are often amazed that I am able to sing sega, but particularly that I can sing and speak in créole. People often tell me that I sing in the raw style of Nancy Derogère – but on the new album my voice style is different and people are surprised,” Tessa says.

Tessa notes that she was so pleased to have the opportunity to take part in Christian Calou’s latest album “Dialsa Kréole”. Tessa has 2 main songs on the album “Zozo Malheur” and “Voyage Forcé”, but also sings back-up on a number of other tracks. Tessa says that her favourite song to sing was “Zozo Malheur” and that she really enjoyed recording in Cassiya’s studio – a group who she has always idolised. Tessa also enjoyed the time spent in Mauritius in 2004, despite the hectic schedule of doing radio and newspaper interviews – she had the chance to work with and meet great Mauritian artists such as Désiré Saramandif, Sandra Mayotte, José Pitchen, Kathy Martin and the group Kazamik.

Tessa is starting to sit down and write her own songs, with the help of her partner of 3 years Dylan Reed. Tessa says that she appreciates that the person who has most supported her singing has been Dylan, who plays both piano/keyboard and clarinet and is helping Tessa to work on the theory side of putting the music/songs together that she is writing.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Sylvio Lebret-The Quiet Achiever


Question:
Where were you born and what is it that you cherish most about your birthplace?
Answer:
Mauritius. The scenery: mountains and beaches and places of historical interest.

Question:
What is the most precious of your childhood memories?
Answer:
The day I won one of the Senior Scholarships in December 1941, which enabled me to enjoy five years of free secondary education at the Royal College, along with free travel by train and half price textbook.

Question:
When did you or your parents migrate to Australia?
Answer:
In April 1971, I arrived at Melbourne and my family joined me in July 1971.

Question:
What is it that you like most about the Australian way of life?
Answer:
The remarkable good relations among the different ethnic groups and communities.


Question:
What did you do in your first job or occupation?
Answer:
As a survey apprentice, I studied and worked to become a Sworn Land Surveyor.

Question:
What are / were your career highlights?
Answer:
In 1964, I was the surveyor of the Ministry of Lands chosen to work with a team of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UNESCO on a large project of improvement to irrigation. I won a commendation for my involvement.

Question:
What is your favourite book?
Answer:
My cross-words dictionary and Thesaurus.

Question:
What do you like most in people?
Answer:
Modesty, humility and good manners.

Question:
Who do you admire most?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi.

Question:
What is your favourite dish?
Answer:
Rice, chicken curry and a green (bredes).

Question:
What is your most valuable trait / personal quality?
Answer:
Caring for others to the point of being worried that I could not do better. I am also proud of having been a blood donor for 48 years.

Question:
Tell us about your most worthwhile achievement(s)?
Answer:
My involvement within Clubs and organizations: 14 years as Secretary and six as President of the Stella Clavisque Club (Australia/Mauritius); seven years as President of the Mauritian Silver Edge Club, while being Treasurer of the Committee of Management of the John Pandazopoulos Hall in Doveton.
Question:
What is the most memorable moment in your life?
Question:
My wedding day.

Question:
If you could wave a magic wand and do something that you desire most, what would it be?
Answer:
More financial security, and passing away quietly without being a burden to people around me.

Question:
What is most precious to you at this point in your life?
Answer:
Unity within my family – my wife, our four sons and two daughters in law.

Question:
What are your plans for the future?
Answer:
To keep on helping others, specially the needy, disabled and elderlies. I would like to continue my fourteen and a half years of participation in “ Meals on wheels” project as long as I shall be able to.