Basic Information:
- Full Name: Shankar Mahadevan
- Date of Birth: March 3, 1967
- Place of Birth: Chembur, Mumbai, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Singer, Composer, Music Director
- Genres: Indian Classical, Playback Singing, Fusion, Film Score
- Years Active: 1997–present
Early Life & Education
Shankar Mahadevan was born in a Tamil-speaking family in Mumbai. He developed an interest in music from an early age and started learning Carnatic music under the guidance of his guru, T.R. Balamani. Apart from music, he also excelled in academics and pursued a degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology, Mumbai University.
After completing his education, he briefly worked as a software engineer before deciding to pursue a full-time career in music.
Musical Career
Solo Career
Shankar Mahadevan gained national recognition with his independent album “Breathless” (1998). The album featured a song sung in a continuous breath-like flow, which became a massive hit and made him a household name.
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (SEL)
He later formed the famous Bollywood music composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy along with Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa. Together, they revolutionized Bollywood music with their fresh and experimental compositions.
Major Bollywood Film Compositions
Some of their most iconic works include:
- Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
- Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
- Lakshya (2004)
- Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
- Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
- Rock On!! (2008)
- My Name Is Khan (2010)
- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
- 2 States (2014)
- Raazi (2018)
- Toofaan (2021)
Apart from Bollywood, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy have also worked in regional cinema, composing music for Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi films.
Playback Singing Career
Apart from being a composer, Shankar Mahadevan is also one of the most versatile playback singers in India. Some of his most popular songs include:
- Breathless (1998)
- Mitwa (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, 2006)
- Maa (Taare Zameen Par, 2007)
- Kajra Re (Bunty Aur Babli, 2005)
- Uff Teri Adaa (Karthik Calling Karthik, 2010)
- Zinda (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 2013)
- Gallan Goodiyan (Dil Dhadakne Do, 2015)
Awards & Recognition
Shankar Mahadevan has received numerous awards for his contribution to music, including:
- National Film Awards (4 times) for Best Male Playback Singer and Best Music Direction
- Filmfare Awards for Best Music Director and Best Playback Singer
- IIFA Awards
- Padma Shri (2019) – India’s fourth-highest civilian award for his contribution to music
Other Contributions
- Shankar Mahadevan Academy – He launched an online academy to teach Indian classical music to students worldwide.
- Reality Shows – He has been a judge on several music reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, The Voice India, and Rising Star.
- Philanthropy – Actively supports various charitable causes and promotes Indian classical music.
Personal Life
Shankar Mahadevan is married to Sangeeta Mahadevan, and they have two sons, Siddharth Mahadevan and Shivam Mahadevan, who are also emerging singers in the Indian music industry.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxmqoGlXt4o&pp=ygUbc2hhbmthciBtYWhhZGV2YW4gaW50ZXJ2aWV3
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/shankar.mahadevan/?hl=en
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/shankarlive/
Twitter : https://x.com/shankar_live?lang=en
