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.^[2]

Personal life and early career[edit]

Shankar Mahadevan was born in Chembur, Mumbai into a Tamil Hindu family originally from Palakkad, Kerala.^[3][4][5] 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^[6][7] and T.R. Balamani.^[8]

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.^[9][10] After working for Leading Edge Systems (now Trigyn Technologies Limited), Mahadevan ventured into music.^[11][12]

He has two sons, Siddharth Mahadevan and Shivam Mahadevan, both of whom are singers.

Musical career[edit]

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.^[13]

Awards[edit]

• 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^[14]
• 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)^[15]
• 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)^[16]
• 2011: Lata Mangeshkar Award by Government of Andhra Pradesh^[17]
• 2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Male Playback Singer – “Indhumukhi Varumo” (Holidays)^[18]
• 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.^[19]
• 2023: Awarded a honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) by Birmingham City University. ^[2]

Filmography[edit]

As actor[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 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)
• 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^[20] (2023) Hindi

As playback singer