Shankar Mahadevan

Shankar Mahadevan (born 3 March 1967) is an Indian singer and composer who is part of the Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy trio that writes music for Indian films. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) by Birmingham City University.^[1]

Shankar Mahadevan
Mahadevan in 2009
Born	(1967-03-03) 3 March 1967 (age 57) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Children	2, including Siddharth
Musical career
Genres	Indian music
Occupations	Singer composer
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1994–present
Member of	Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Website	shankarmahadevan.com

Personal life and early career

Shankar Mahadevan was born in Chembur, Mumbai into a Tamil family originally from Palakkad, Kerala.^[2][3][4][5] He learned Hindustani classical and Carnatic music as a child, and began playing the veena at the age of five under Shri Lalitha Venkataraman. Mahadevan studied music under Pandit Shrinivas Khale^[6][7] and T.R. Balamani.^[8]

He is an alumnus of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour High School, Chembur and graduated in 1988 with a degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from the Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology in Navi Mumbai, affiliated to Mumbai University, and was a software engineer for the company, Leading Edge.^[9] After working for Leading Edge Systems (now Trigyn Technologies Limited), Mahadevan ventured into music.^[10][11]

He has two sons, Siddharth Mahadevan and Shivam Mahadevan, both of whom are singers.

Musical career

Mahadevan got early fame as an indipop star with his fusion of Carnatic, Hindustani and Jazz. At that time, his non-film album, Breathless topped the Indian music charts in 1998.^[12]

Awards

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Padma Shree Award to Shri Shankar Mahadevan, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 11 March 2019

• 2000: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Yenna Solla Pogirai" (Kandukondain Kandukondain)
• 2006: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu – "Chandrullo" (Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana)
• 2007: Swaralaya-Kairali-Yesudas Award for outstanding contribution to Indian film music^[13]
• 2007: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Maa" (Taare Zameen Par)
• 2008: Kerala State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Kalyana Kacheri" (Madampi)^[14]
• 2009: Asianet Film Award for Best Male Playback – "Pichavecha Naal" (Puthiya Mukham)
• 2009: Annual Malayalam Movie Awards (Dubai) for Best Male Singer – "Pichavecha Naal" (Puthiya Mukham)^[15]
• 2011: Lata Mangeshkar Award by Government of Andhra Pradesh^[16]
• 2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Indhumukhi Varumo" (Holidays)^[17]
• 2012: MAA Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Nee Dookudu" (Dookudu)
• 2012: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Bolo Na" (Chittagong)
• 2015: Tulu Cinemotsava Awards for Best Playback Singer – Rikshaw Driver (Tulu Movie)
• 2019: Padma Shri Award for his contributions to Film Music under the category Arts.^[18]
• 2023: Awarded an honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) by Birmingham City University.^[1]
• 2024: Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for This Moment as a member of Shakti.^[19][20]

Filmography

As actor

• Aranmanai 3 (2021) Tamil – guest appearance in song "Theeyaga Thondri"
• Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015) Marathi film
• Rhythm (2000) Tamil – guest appearance in song "Thaniye"
• Ek Se Badh Kar Ek (1995) Doordarshan Serial

As composer

• Rockford (1999)
• Bhopal Express (1999)
• Shool (1999)
• Dillagi (1999)
• Mission Kashmir (2000)
• Aalavandhan (2001) (Tamil)
• Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
• Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? (2002)
• Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003)
• Armaan (2003)
• Nayee Padosan (2003)
• Kuch Naa Kaho (2003)
• Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
• Rudraksh (2004)
• Main Hoon Na (2004)
• Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... (2004)
• Lakshya (2004)
• Phir Milenge (2004)
• Vanity Fair (2004)
• Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
• Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... (2005)
• Dus (2005)
• Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
• Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006)
• Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love (2007)
• Marigold: An Adventure in India (2007)
• Heyy Babyy (2007)
• Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)
• Johnny Gaddaar (2007)
• Taare Zameen Par (2007)
• High School Musical 2 soundtrack (Hindi version)
• Rock On!! (2008)
• Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008)
• Madambi (Malayalam) (2008)
• Chandni Chowk to China (2009)
• Yavarum Nalam (Tamil) (2009)
• Shortkut (2009)
• Luck by Chance (2009)
• Sikandar (2009)
• 13B (2009)
• Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam (Telugu) (2009)
• Wake Up Sid (2009)
• London Dreams (2009)
• My Name Is Khan (2010)
• Kismat Talkies (2010)
• Karthik Calling Karthik (2010)
• Hum Tum Aur Ghost (2010)
• Housefull (2010)
• Tere Bin Laden (2010)
• Koochie Koochie Hota Hai (2011)
• Patiala House (2011)
• De Ghuma Ke (World Cup 2011 song)
• Game (2011)
• Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
• Don 2 (2011)
• Chittagong (2012)
• Vishwaroopam (2013)
• Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
• D - Day (2013)
• One By Two (2014)
• Darr @ the Mall (2014)
• 2 States (2014)
• Kill Dil (2014)
• Mitwaa (2015) Marathi
• Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015) Marathi
• Than Than Gopal (2015) Marathi
• Thai Manne 2.0 (2023) Tamil^[21]
• Thai Manne 2.0 (2023) Hindi^[22]

As playback singer

Main article: List of songs recorded by Shankar Mahadevan

Discography

Solo albums

• Nine
• Breathless

Jingles

List of Shankar Mahadevan jingles

Name	Brand	Composer	Notes
"Kuch Khaas Hai Hum Sabhi Mai"	Dairy Milk		[citation needed]
"Chal Nikal Taiyaar Ho Ja"	Delhi Disaster Management Authority	Vaibhav Saxena	[23]

Television

• Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs 2022 as a judge
• Sa Re Ga Ma Pa :Sapnon Ki Shuruwaat as a judge
• Taare Zameen Par as a judge
• Rising Star Live on Colors as a judge
• Indian Voice on Mazhavil Manorama as a judge
• Super Singer 6 & 7 as a special guest on Star Vijay
• Vijay Star Nite as a performer on Star Vijay
• Super Singer Junior season 6 & 7 on Star Vijay as a judge
• Super Singer Champion of Champions on Star Vijay as a judge
• Super Singer 8 as a performer & judge along with other leading singers of Tamil (Hariharan, Sid Sriram, Unni Krishnan, Anuradha Sri Ram, Shasha Tirupati, Stephen Devassy, SPB Charan, Vijay Yesudas, Benny Dayal, Kalpana Ragavendar, Saindhavi, Shakthisree Gopalan, Pradeep Kumar, Vijay Prakash, Karthick, Gana Bala, Anthony Daasan, Chinnaponnu, Grace Karunas, Karunas) on the Grand Launch Episode on Star Vijay
• Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012 as a judge and mentor
• Music ka Maha Muqqabla as a contestant-captain of Shankar's Rockstars
• Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009, as a judge and mentor

References

1. "Bollywood star to be recognised with top university honour". Birmingham City University. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
2. Puri, Amit (21 October 2002). "Nerd who started at 5 and still not Breathless". Tribune India. Archived from the original on 10 March 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
3. "Interesting facts about musical genius Shankar Mahadevan". India TV. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
4. Narayan, Shoba (17 January 2015). "The psychology of a Matunga Tamilian". mint. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
5. "Shankar Mahadevan – Artist Biography". JioSaavn. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
6. "Khale a maestro till his last breath: Mahadevan". yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017.
7. "Best Marathi songs by Shankar Mahadevan you would love to listen to". Times of India. 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
8. Ramani, Hema Iyer Ramani and V. v (27 July 2017). "The sound of his music". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
9. "Eminent Alumni | RAIT". Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
10. Yasir, S.M. (6 November 2003). "Striking the right note... for his supper". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
11. "Folk music is above even classical music: Shankar Mahadevan". DNA India. 23 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
12. Kumar, R. ed., 2003. Essays on Indian music. Discovery Publishing House.
13. "Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award". Thiraseela.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
14. "Kerala State Film Awards". Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
15. Juhan Samuel. "Mohan Lal, Kaniha to get best actor, actress award!". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 25 July 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
16. Antao, Lisa (1 October 2011). "Lata Mangeshkar Award for Shankar Mahadevan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
17. "Critics award: Gaddama adjudged best film". The Indian Express. 26 February 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2013. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
18. "Mohanlal, Prabhudheva and Shankar Mahadevan receive Padma Awards". The Indian Express. 11 March 2019. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
19. "Shankar Mahadevan & Zakir Hussain Triumph at 2024 Grammy Awards with 'The moment' album". Bru Times News. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
20. "Grammy Awards 2024 winner Shakti: 5 things you need to know about Shankar Mahadevan and Zakir Hussain's fusion band". Hindustan Times. 5 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
21. Netaji and Chatrapati Shivaji featuring Thai Manne 2.0 Ravi Murrugiah/ Shankar Mahadevan #ThaiManne. Vasan Digitz. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024 – via YouTube.
22. Netaji and Chatrapati Shivaji featuring Bharat Maa 2.0 Ravi Murrugiah/ Shankar Mahadevan #ThaiManne. Vasan Digitz. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023 – via YouTube.
23. Tyagi, Avantika (31 January 2015). "Blending music to create heady re-(mix)". The Times of India – via Internet Archive (archive.org).

External links

• Official website
• Shankar Mahadevan Academy
• Shankar Mahadevan at IMDb