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 The cinema of India, consisting of motion pictures made by the Indian film industry, has had a large effect on world cinema since the second half of the 20th century. Indian cinema is made up of various film industries, each focused on pr ...

. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate (''honoris causa'' degree) by

Birmingham City University Birmingham City University (abbrev. BCU) is a university in Birmingham, England. Initially established as the Birmingham College of Art with roots dating back to 1843, it was designated as a polytechnic (United Kingdom), polytechnic in 1971 an ...

Personal life and early career

Shankar Mahadevan was born in Chembur,

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

into a

Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...

family originally from

Palakkad Palakkad (), Renaming of cities in India, also known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery, is a city and a municipality in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of P ...

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

. He learned Hindustani classical and

Carnatic music Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. It is o ...

as a child, and began playing the veena at the age of five under Shri Lalitha Venkataraman. Mahadevan studied music under Pandit Shrinivas Khale and T.R. Balamani. 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. After working for Leading Edge Systems (now Trigyn Technologies Limited), Mahadevan ventured into music. 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.

Awards

* 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 * 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'') * 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: Lata Mangeshkar Award by

Government of Andhra Pradesh The Government of Andhra Pradesh, abbreviated as GoAP, is the Administrative division, state government and the administrative body responsible for the governance of the States of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Amaravati is the capital ...

* 2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Indhumukhi Varumo" (''

Holidays A holiday is a day or other period of time set aside for festivals or recreation. ''Public holidays'' are set by public authorities and vary by state or region. Religious holidays are set by religious organisations for their members and are often ...

'') * 2012: MAA Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Nee Dookudu" ('' Dookudu'') * 2012: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – "Bolo Na" (''

Chittagong Chittagong ( ), officially Chattogram, (, ) (, or ) is the second-largest city in Bangladesh. Home to the Port of Chittagong, it is the busiest port in Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal. The city is also the business capital of Bangladesh. It ...

'') * 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. * 2023: Awarded an honorary doctorate (''honoris causa'' degree) by Birmingham City University. * 2024: Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for '' This Moment'' as a member of

Shakti Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; 'energy, ability, strength, effort, power, might, capability') in Hinduism, is the "Universal Power" that underlies and sustains all existence. Conceived as feminine in essence, Shakti refer ...

Filmography

As actor

* '' Aranmanai 3'' (2021) Tamil – guest appearance in song "Theeyaga Thondarihvn * '' Katyar Kaljat Ghusali'' (2015) Marathi film * ''

Rhythm Rhythm (from Greek , ''rhythmos'', "any regular recurring motion, symmetry") generally means a " movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". This general meaning of regular r ...

'' (2000) Tamil – guest appearance in song "Thaniye" * '' Ek Se Badkar Ek'' (1995) Doordarshan Serial

As composer

* '' Rockford'' (1999) * '' Bhopal Express'' (1999) * ''

Shool ''Shool'' () is a 1999 Indian Hindi-language action crime film directed by Eeshwar Nivas. Written and produced by Ram Gopal Varma, it portrays the politician-criminal nexus and the criminalization of politics in Bihar and its effect on the li ...

'' (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 ''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' (, ), also abbreviated as ''KHNH'', is a 2003 Indian Hindi-language romance film, romantic Comedy drama, comedy drama film directed by debutant Nikkhil Advani, Nikhil Advani from a script written by Karan Johar and Niranjan Iy ...

'' (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!! ''Rock On!!'' is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language musical drama film written and directed by Abhishek Kapoor, produced by Farhan Akhtar, and with music by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. The film marks the Bollywood debut of Akhtar and Prachi Desai. A ...

'' (2008) * '' Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic'' (2008) * ''

Madambi ''Madampi'' () is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film written and directed by B. Unnikrishnan. It stars Mohanlal, Ajmal Ameer, Siddique (actor), Siddique, Kavya Madhavan, and Mallika Kapoor. The film was released on 4 July 2008. ...

'' (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 ''Wake Up Sid'' is a 2009 Indian Hindi-language Coming-of-age story, coming-of-age Comedy drama, comedy-drama film written and directed by Ayan Mukerji in his directorial debut, and produced by Karan Johar under the Dharma Productions banner. T ...

'' (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 A game is a structured type of play usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or video games) or art ...

'' (2011) * ''

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara ''Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'' (), is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language Road movie, road comedy drama film directed by Zoya Akhtar and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment. The film stars an ensemble cast of Hrithik ...

'' (2011) * ''

Don 2 ''Don 2: The King Is Back'' is a 2011 Indian Hindi language action thriller film written, co-produced and directed by Farhan Akhtar. It is the second installment in the '' Don reboot series''. Jointly produced by Excel Entertainment and Red ...

'' (2011) * ''

'' (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 * ''Thai Manne 2.0'' (2023) Hindi

As playback singer

Discography

Solo albums

Nine 9 (nine) is the natural number following and preceding . Evolution of the Hindu–Arabic digit Circa 300 BC, as part of the Brahmi numerals, various Indians wrote a digit 9 similar in shape to the modern closing question mark without the bot ...

* Breathless

Jingles

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 Color (or colour in Commonwealth English; see spelling differences) is the visual perception based on the electromagnetic spectrum. Though color is not an inherent property of matter, color perception is related to an object's light absorpt ...

as a judge * Indian Voice on

Mazhavil Manorama Mazhavil Manorama is an Indian Malayalam language general entertainment Free-to-air television channel owned by Malayala Manorama. The channel’s headquarters is at Aroor, Alappuzha in Kerala, India. History The channel has been on air sin ...

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 Vijay Yesudas (born 23 March 1979) is an Indian playback singer and actor. He has sung over 1000 film songs. Vijay works predominantly in the South Indian film industry, mostly in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi. He is the son of ...

Benny Dayal Benny Dayal (born 13 May 1984) is a UAE-born Indian playback singer. He is a prominent singer in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Gujarati and Marathi and more languages films. He is a member of the band S5, launched by ...

, Kalpana Ragavendar,

Saindhavi Saindhavi (born 3 January 1989) is an Indian carnatic vocalist and playback singer. She has been performing since the age of 12. Personal life Saindhavi married her schoolmate, composer G. V. Prakash Kumar, on 27 June 2013, in Chennai, India. ...

, Shakthisree Gopalan, Pradeep Kumar, Vijay Prakash, Karthick, Gana Bala, Anthony Daasan, Chinnaponnu, Grace Karunas,

Karunas Karunas (born as Karunanidhi Sethu; February 21, 1970) is an Indian actor, comedian, composer, playback singer and politician in the Tamil film industry. Appearing mostly in supporting roles, he has also played main lead roles in films includ ...

) 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

External links

*
Shankar Mahadevan Academy
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mahadevan, Shankar Singers from Mumbai Indian male playback singers Tamil film score composers Living people Tamil playback singers Bollywood playback singers Malayalam playback singers Telugu playback singers Kannada playback singers Marathi-language singers Marathi playback singers 1967 births Filmfare Awards South winners Sanskrit-language singers Hindi film score composers Best Male Playback Singer National Film Award winners Indian male film score composers Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Remember Shakti members Kerala Film Critics Awards winners Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy