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 a honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) by Birmingham City University.
Personal life and early career
Shankar Mahadevan was born in Chembur, Mumbai into a Palakkad Iyer family originally from Palakkad, Kerala. 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 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)
- 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
- 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)
- 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.
- 2023: Awarded a honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) by Birmingham City University.
Filmography
As actor
- Aranmanai 3 (2021) Tamil – guest role in song “Theeyaga Thondri”
- Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015) Marathi
- Rhythm (2000) Tamil – guest role 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
- Thai Manne 2.0 (2023) Hindi
As playback singer
Discography
Solo albums
- Nine
- Breathless
Jingles
| Name | Brand | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuch Khaas Hai Hum Sabhi Mai | Dairy Milk | ||
| Chal Nikal Taiyaar Ho Ja | Delhi Disaster Management Authority | Vaibhav Saxena |
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