Shankar Mahadevan is an Indian music composer and singer. He is a part of the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio team that composes for Indian films and a playback singer. He is a four time winner of the National Award for the Best Male Playback Singer. He is also the founder of the Shankar Mahadevan Academy which conducts online music lessons in Indian music for students across the globe.
Early life edit:
Shankar Mahadevan was born and raised in Chembur, a suburb of Mumbai, to a Tamil Iyer family from Palakkad, Kerala. He learned Hindustani classical music and Carnatic music in his childhood and started playing the veena at the age of five. He studied music under the guidance of Pandit Srinivas Khale, a well known Marathi music composer. He went to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour High School in Chembur. He subsequently attended SIES College in Sion and completed his HSC. He graduated in 1988 with a degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology in Navi Mumbai under the auspices of Mumbai University. He worked as a software engineer for Oracle.
Career edit:
After working for a while for Leading Edge Systems, Shankar ventured into the field of music. He earned his first award as a playback singer in a Tamil movie, collaborating with A. R. Rahman and winning a National Film Award for his song in Kandukondain Kandukondain. A prominent star in the Kodambakkam film industry, he gained further recognition upon the release of his first music album, Breathless, in 1998. The title track of the album had been prepared in such a manner that it is sung without any break, so it appears to be sung in one breath and thus the title "Breathless". He later got into music direction and became a part of the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio, composing music for Hindi films.
Before his entire film music sojourn started, Shankar Mahadevan was part of the Indo-Swedish fusion jazz band Mynta.
He has sung in many films for A. R. Rahman, Anu Malik and other music directors, performing songs like "Urvashi Take It Easy" from Humse Hai Muqabla (1995), "I Love You" from Auzaar (1997), "Kay Sera Sera" from Pukar (2000) and many more songs in the nineties. Most of the songs sung by him in Hindi are composed by him (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy). He has sung numerous songs in Tamil for a multitude of composers, ranging from veterans to newcomers. He has also sung in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and other regional languages. In Marathi he has sung for noted composers like Shridhar Phadke and Ajay-Atul.
He enjoyed a successful run with the fusion jazz band SILK with Louis Banks on keyboards, Sivamani on percussion, Sridhar Parthasarathy on mridangam and Karl Peters on bass guitar.
Shankar Mahadevan has also provided vocals for several songs by the band Remember Shakti, which features musicians including, Musician Zakir Hussain, Musician Chandan Sharma, Musician John McLaughlin, U. Srinivas and V. Selvaganesh. He was music director for the famous "School Chale Hum" song on Doordarshan.
He was a mentor on Zee TV's musical reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009.
He is a team captain, judge, and mentor on Star Plus's musical show Music Ka Maha Muqqabla for the team Shankar's Rockstars; his team won Music Ka Maha Muqqabala 2010.
In March 2009 he performed at Ragam 09, an intercollegiate cultural festival hosted by the National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NITC) in Kerala.
In February 2010 he performed at Kuruksastra 10, an intercollege cultural festival hosted by the SASTRA University, Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.
In September 2008 and 2010 he performed at PULSE, India's Second largest Inter-college Festival at All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
In March 2011 he started the Shankar Mahadevan Academy. The Academy offers tutorials and virtual vocal courses in Carnatic and Hindustani classical music, religious chanting, Indian folk music, and Bollywood songs.
Shankar was Invited by the UNESCO and the US state Dept to perform at UN general assembly hall for the finale of the International Jazz festival held on 30 April 2012.
As of 2012, Shankar is currently mentoring Zee TV's musical reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012.
In 2013, Shankar, along with Ehsaan, Loy and his team, performed a 5 hour concert for Lok Biradari Prakalp in Nagpur. The show was received extremely positively and the fact that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy did not accept money for the concert was greatly appreciated.
On February 07,2013,Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and his team performed at Day 2 Pro-Show of Riviera 2013 (Inter college Cultural Fest of VIT University).This was his third performance in the campus receiving a huge round of applause.
On March 17, 2013 he performed at Ragam 13, the annual intercollege cultural festival of National Institute of Technology, Calicut for the second time, his first time being in Ragam 2009.
Awards edit:
National Film Awards
2000: Best Male Playback Singer - "Yenna Solla Pogirai" (Kandukondain Kandukondain),
2004: Best Music Direction - Kal Ho Naa Ho (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
2008: Best Male Playback Singer - "Maa" (Taare Zameen Par),
2012: Best Male Playback Singer - "Bolo Na" (Chittagong),
State Film Awards
2008: Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer - "Kalyaana Kacheri" (Madampi),
2008: Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer - Venkatadri,
Filmfare Awards
2002: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent for Dil Chahta Hai (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
2003: Best Music Direction for Kal Ho Naa Ho (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
2005: Best Music Direction for Bunty Aur Babli (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
Filmfare Awards South
2005: Best Playback Singer for Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana-Telugu,
Star Screen Awards
2000: Nominated for Best Background Music for Mission Kashmir (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
2001: Best Music Direction for Dil Chahta Hai (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
2005: Best Music Direction for Bunty aur Babli (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
2009: Nominated for Best Music Direction for Rock On!! (as part of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy),
Other awards
2007: Swaralaya-Kairali-Yesudas Award for outstanding contribution to Indian film music ,
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),
2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Indhumukhi Varumo" (Holidays),
2012: MAA Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Nee Dookudu" (Dookudu),
Filmography edit:
As composer edit:
Vishwaroopam (2013),
Chittagong (2012),
Don 2 (2011),
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011),
Game (2011),
De Ghuma Ke (World Cup 2011 song),
Patiala House (2011),
Koochie Koochie Hota Hai (2011),
Tere Bin Laden (2010),
Housefull (2010),
Hum Tum Aur Ghost (2010),
Karthik Calling Karthik (2010),
Kismat Talkies (2010),
My Name Is Khan (2010),
London Dreams (2009),
Wake Up Sid (2009),
Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam (Telugu) (2009),
13B (2009),
Sikandar (2009),
Luck by Chance (2009),
Shortkut (2009),
Yavarum Nalam (Tamil) (2009),
Chandni Chowk to China (2009),
Madambi (Malayalam) (2008),
Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008),
Rock On!! (2008),
High School Musical 2 soundtrack (Hindi version),
Taare Zameen Par (2007),
Johnny Gaddaar (2007),
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007),
Heyy Babyy (2007),
Marigold: An Adventure in India (2007),
Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love (2007),
Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006),
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006),
Dus (2005),
Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... (2005),
Bunty Aur Babli (2005),
Vanity Fair (2004),
Phir Milenge (2004),
Lakshya (2004),
Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... (2004),
Rudraksh (2004),
Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003),
Kuch Naa Kaho (2003),
Nayee Padosan (2003),
Armaan (2003),
Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003),
Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? (2002),
Dil Chahta Hai (2001),
Aalavandhan (2001) (Tamil),
Mission Kashmir (2000),
Dillagi (1999),
Shool (1999),
Bhopal Express (1999),
Rockford (1999),
As playback singer edit:
Notable Tamil songs edit
Year
Film
Songs
Composer
Co-Singer(s)
1997
Minsara Kanavu
"Vennilave" (sad version)
A. R. Rahman
Kavita Paudwal
1999
Mudhalvan
"Mudhalvanae",
"Uppu Karuvaadu"
A. R. Rahman
S. Janaki, Kavita Krishnamurthy
Sangamam
"Varaha Nadhikarai"
A. R. Rahman
Solo
2000
Priyamaanavale
"June July"
S. A. Rajkumar
Harini
Kandukondain Kandukondain
"Enna Solla Pogirai"
A. R. Rahman
Solo
Alaipayuthey
"Endendrum Punnagai",
"September Madham"
A. R. Rahman
Clinton Cerejo, Srinivas, A. R. Rahman, Asha Bhosle
Thenali
"Thenali"
A. R. Rahman
Clinton Cerejo
Kushi
"Kattipudi"
Deva
Vasundhara Das, Ganga, Sri Ram
Rhythm
"Thaniye"
A. R. Rahman
Solo
2001
Aalavandhan
"Aalavandhan"
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Solo
Friends
"Kuyilukku"
Ilaiyaraaja
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Hariharan
Star
"Thom Karuvil Irunthom"
A. R. Rahman
Solo
Alli Thandha Vaanam
"Vaadi Vaadi Naattukatta"
Vidyasagar
Sujatha Mohan
Citizen
"Sikki Mukki",
"Pookara"
Deva
Sadhana Sargam, Vasundhara Das
Shahjahan
"Sarakku Vachiruken"
Mani Sharma
Radhika Thilak
Poovellam Un Vasam
"Thalattum Kaatrae Vaa"
Vidyasagar
Solo
Minnale
"Oh Mama Mama"
Harris Jayaraj
Tippu
Dheena
"Kadhal Website"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Harini
2002
Gemini
"Katta Katta"
Bharathwaj
Solo
Bhagavathi
"Achamillai",
"Kai Kai Vekkura"
Deva
Solo, Anuradha Sriram
Dhool
"Aasai Aasai"
Vidyasagar
Sujatha Mohan
Baba
"Dippu Dippu"
A. R. Rahman
Solo
Youth
"Aal Thotta Boopathy"
Mani Sharma
Solo
2003
Thiruda Thirudi
"Manmatha Raasa"
Dheena
Malathi Lakshman
Anjaneya
"Paavaada Panjavarnam"
Mani Sharma
Solo
Vaseegara
"Aaha Enbargal"
S. A. Rajkumar
Solo
Alai
"Alai Adikidhu"
Vidyasagar
Solo
Kovil
"Kokku Meenai"
Harris Jayaraj
Srilekha Parthasarathy
2004
Madurey
"Machan Peru Madurey"
Vidyasagar
Solo
Kadhal Kondein
"Manasu Rendum Paarka"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
Thirupaachi
"Kumbida Pona Dheivam"
Dheena
Malathi Lakshman
Aaytha Ezhuthu
"Hey Goodbye Nanba"
A. R. Rahman
Sunitha Sarathy, Karthik, Lucky Ali
2005
Mounam Pesiyadhe
"En Anbe En Anbe"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
Anniyan
"Kumari"
Harris Jayaraj
Harini
Anbe Aaruyire
"Maramkothiye"
A. R. Rahman
Vasundhara Das, Shalini, Blaaze
Manmadhan
"Vaanam Enaa"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Sriram
Sachein
"Va Va Va En Thalaiva"
Devi Sri Prasad
Solo
Ghajini
"Rangola"
Harris Jayaraj
Sujatha Mohan
Daas
"Vaa Vaa Vaa"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Mahalakshmi Iyer
Thotti Jaya
"Thotta Power Da"
Harris Jayaraj
Solo
Kattradhu Thamizh
"Vazhkai Enbadhu"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
2006
Kanda Naal Mudhal
"Merke Merke"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Sadhana Sargam
Sillunu Oru Kadhal
"Machakaari"
A. R. Rahman
Vasundhara Das
Pokkiri
"Maambazhamam"
Mani Sharma
Ganga
2007
Vel
"Indha Ooril",
"Onnapola"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo, Srilekha Parthasarathy
Chennai 600028
"Saroja Saman Nikalo"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Premgi Amaren
Unakkum Enakkum
"Pooparikka Neeyum"
Devi Sri Prasad
Solo
Veyil
"Urugudhe Maragudhe"
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Shreya Ghoshal
Kireedam
"Vilayaadu Vilayaadu"
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Solo
Satham Podathey
"Azhagu Kutti Chellam"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
Billa
"Vethalaiya Potendi"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
Polladhavan
"Padichupathen"
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Solo
2008
Subramaniapuram
"Kadhal Siluvaiyil"
James Vasanthan
Solo
Kuselan
"Cinema Cinema"
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Solo
Aegan
"Hey Baby Baby"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
Silambattam
"Thamizh Endral Naan"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
2009
Siva Manasula Sakthi
"Oru Adangapidari"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Swetha Mohan
Yavarum Nalam
"Kaatriley Vaasame",
"Yavarum Nalam"
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
K. S. Chitra,
Solo
Naadodigal
"Sambho Siva Sambho"
Sundar C Babu
Solo
Vettaikaaran
"Naan Adicha"
Vijay Antony
Solo
2010
Thamizh Padam
"Oru Sooravali"
Kannan
Solo
Raavanan
"Kaattu Sirukki"
A. R. Rahman
Anuradha Sriram
Thillalangadi
"Thothu Ponen"
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Solo
2011
Ra.One (Tamil)
"Pachai Poove",
"Poovulagama"
Vishal-Shekhar
Akon, Shalini, Unni Menon
Porali
"Yaar Ivan"
Sundar C Babu
Solo
2012
Saguni
"Kandha Kaara Vada"
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Solo
Mirattal
"Ringa Ringa Radio"
Pravin Mani
Suchitra
Podaa Podi
"I Am A Kuthu Dancer"
Dharan
Silambarasan
Vishwaroopam
"Unnai Kaanadhu Naan"
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Kamal Haasan
2013
Haridas
"Annaiyin Karuvil"
Vijay Antony
Solo
