Shankar Mahadevan Biography

Shankar Mahadevan, famous B-Town music composer and singer was born on the 3rd of March 1967 in Chembur, Mumbai. Born to a Tamil Iyer family originated from Palakkad, Kerala, Shankar was raised in Mumbai itself. Completing his schooling from 'Our Lady of Perpetual Succour High School' in Chembur, Shankar started his training in music by learning Hindustani classical music and Carnatic music at core. Maintaining his space between studies and music, Shankar marveled his best in playing Veena at a young age of five.

Post his schooling, Mahadevan opted into SIES college, Sion for higher secondary later adjoined to 'Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology', Navi Mumbai for completing his degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering. Pursuing his best in the curricular field, Shankar leaded his knowledge to path him to work as a Software Engineer for a reputed firm, Oracle and then shifting to another prestigious establishment Leading Edge Systems.

But as destiny had Shankar soon moved his steps back to his first love, music. Kickstarting his career in music industry, the talent house first rooted his feet as a singer by singing his debut "Kandukondain Kandukondain" composed by the famous music composer A. R. Rahman in Southern industry in the year 1997. The song not only gained him the needed fame, but catered him his first prestigious National Award for singing the same. Boosting his morals high with the felicitation, Shankar went a step ahead and launched his very first solo album 'Breathless', which attracted the audiences with its title track that was sung without a single pause, thus naming the album 'Breathless' in the year 1998.

Later delivering few more tracks down south as a singer, Shankar collaborated with the eminent musicians, Ehsaan and Loy and formed their own composing team named 'Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy' which began composing tunes for Bollywood music. Their first stone to commencement was placed on the 1999 release 'Rockford', which was soon got clubbed with a list of other flicks from Bollywood. Few of them are mentioned further, such as 'Shool', 'Dillagi', 'Mission Kashmir', 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai', 'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah', 'Nayee Padosan', 'Kuch Naa Kaho', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', 'Lakshya', 'Phir Milenge', 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'Dus', 'Don - The Chase Begins Again' (2006), 'Heyy Babyy', 'Taare Zameen Par', 'Rock On', 'Wake Up Sid', 'My Name is Khan', 'Housefull', 'Game', 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' and 'D-Day'.

Composing his best in the above blockbusters, Shankar was awarded his best in the above mentioned journey. Far after winning his first National Award, the wait ended for the composer, when his composed musical drama 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' bagged him his second, but prime 'National Award' as the Best Music Director. The next two in the row again marked Mahadevan's success as a singer with his third and fourth National Award as the Best Singer for his tracks "Maa" from the blockbuster 'Taare Zameen Par' and "Bolo Na" from the film 'Chittagong'.

Apart from contributing his expertise in Bollywood, Shankar is well famous for his passion regarding the western form of music Jazz. Far before the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy came into existence, the lead Mahadevan was also a part of a leading fusion Jazz band "Silk" with few renowned Jazz musicians and singers. Post fame through his compositions, Shankar ventured his best in the musical stream by launching his musical academy "Shankar Mahadevan Academy", which is one of its kind, guiding students in music online!

Marking his best for the silver screen, the composer-singer has also debuted his presence on the small screen by being a part of a music reality show named "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" aired on national television. However, winning several accolades through the Government of India, Shankar is as well felicitated by the fraternity at several award shows, such as Filmfare for instance and rest other accolades from the regional film industry as well.

Contributing in Hindi cinema as a core, Shankar Mahadevan has also remained active for his contributes in several other industries like Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam and so on. Well as music flown in the Mahadevan veins, his son Siddharth Mahadevan too marked his debut in the industry through his solo track "Zinda" in the recent blockbuster 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'.