Shankar Mahadevan (born 3 March 1967) is an Indian singer and composer. He is one-third of the celebrated music trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. A former software engineer, he became famous for the “breathless” song on his 1998 debut album. He has since composed the music for films such as Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Taare Zameen Par, and in 2024 he won a Grammy Award with the fusion band Shakti.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Shankar Mahadevan |
| Born | 3 March 1967, Chembur, Mumbai, India |
| Age | 59 |
| Profession | Singer, composer |
| Education | Computer engineering, Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology |
| Group | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (with Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa) |
| Sons | Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan (singers) |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2019), Grammy Award (2024), National Film Awards |
Early Life
Shankar was born in Chembur, Mumbai, into a Tamil family. He learned Hindustani and Carnatic classical music as a child and played the veena. He studied computer engineering and worked as a software engineer before deciding to pursue music full-time.
Career
Shankar’s debut album, Breathless (1998), became a sensation because its title song appeared to be sung in a single breath. It made him a household name.
With guitarist Ehsaan Noorani and keyboardist Loy Mendonsa, Shankar formed one of Bollywood’s most successful composing teams. The trio’s scores include Mission Kashmir, Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Bunty Aur Babli, Don, Taare Zameen Par, Rock On!!, My Name Is Khan, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
As a playback singer, Shankar has recorded hits across many languages, including “Maa” from Taare Zameen Par and “Kajra Re”. He has won multiple National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer. He is also a member of Shakti, the fusion band led by guitarist John McLaughlin and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. With Shakti he won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2024 for This Moment.
Personal Life
Shankar is married to Sangeetha, and their sons Siddharth and Shivam are both singers. He co-founded the Shankar Mahadevan Academy, an online music school that teaches Indian music to students around the world.
Awards and Honours
Popular Songs
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Shankar Mahadevan born?
Shankar Mahadevan was born on 3 March 1967 in Chembur, Mumbai, India.
What honours has Shankar Mahadevan received?
Padma Shri (2019), Grammy Award (2024), National Film Awards.
