Nov 29, 2004 07:59 PM
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(Updated Nov 29, 2004 07:59 PM)
Introduction:
I got this useful piece of info. about Shankar Mahadevan from the internet
He is an Engineering graduate trained in Carnatic and Hindustani classical music and has been part of a Swedish band and dabbles in jazz and fusion music.
At the age of three he began to play a harmonium at a relative's house without any prior exposure or training. The first formal training he received was in playing the Veena and he took lessons propped up on pillows, otherwise too small to reach the instrument.
He went on to train in Carnatic and Hindustani semi classical music, performing on stage, playing cricket, pursuing academics and never once feeling the 'pressure'.
Graduating in engineering and eventually joining Oracle was probably the only regular thing that Shankar did. But that too didn't last very long as he gave it up in further pursuit of music.
His career as a playback singer has however not been particularly notable. His biggest break came when he released Breathless after collaborating with noted lyricist Javed Akhtar wherein Shankar gave voice to Javed Akhtar's lyrics, singing a seamless, breathless song with no breaks. The album helped Shankar catapult to fame and brought him in to the public eye.
Composing music, apart from singing was another thing Shankar took to with ease when he met up with Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa while composing jingles. The trio connected well, first tried their combined skills with Dillagi and Dus in 1999 and have stuck together ever since. And there has been no looking back.
My Favorite Shankar Tracks(As a singer:)—(Numbers are for ordering and not ranking)
1)Love Theme-Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
This is not a song. It’s an instrumental. But Shankar’s voice of singing “he he he he..” makes this theme a complete song. Just how he starts the song from low pitch and goes to stretch it to high pitch is worth listening and this is why I have chosen this compilation. Ismail Darbar has done a wonderful job composing this time.
2)Lakshya-Lakshya
An inspirational number is what this song could be called. U all might have heard this song. Starts of with sound of helicopter in background and then the real music starts with Shankar singing. If u have made an aim in life and want to achieve it but finding it difficult listen to this song and u will be inspired to do it. Shankar’s voice is awesome in this song and that is why I hear this song atleast once in a day. SEL’s music blend perfectly with Shankar’s voice. The tabla, drums, guitar etc form a great composition.
3)Dhuan Dhuan-Mission Kashmir
I was thinking about choosing Rindposh Maal or Bhumbro from Mission Kashmir but suddenly I heard this one. This song is not exactly to be heard in a jolly atmosphere its rather a gloomy kind of number. But this song is worth listening for its lyrics, Shankar’s voice and the slow music as well. The plight and suffering people are suffering from terrorism is what is depicted from this song by Shankar. A start of with slow paced music and Shankar takes over singing and finally the theme of Mission Kashmir is played at the end. Great compilation.
4)Breathless-Breathless
I had to include this. This is the song which made Shankar Mahadevan famous. Well the song is not actually sung continuously but it is rather programmed to be continuous. O.K I don’t wanna raise any controversies here but whatever the song is great to listen to. Actually Breathless-2 is also there in the album which is similar kind with different https://lyrics. As usual Shankar sings well and the video is directed by Zoya and Farhan Akhtar who also made it big with this video. Shankar’s voice is something different and that is why he is always pleasing to hear.
5)Dil Chahta Hai(Title and Reprise version)-Dil Chahta Hai
Arguably the best from Shankar Mahadevan till date. There are two versions of this song both sung by Shankar. The first one is what is picturised in the movie when the guys go to Goa while the reprise version comes at the end. The difference in the two songs is the music; the former one is kind of fast paced hummable number while the later one is a jolly Caribbean kind of song with the drums playing the major role. Anyways sung excellently by Shankar and the background chorus too make this song soothing to hear everytime I hear it.
Do RRC my rvu…
