The mustard seeds begin to splutter in the kadai, freshly cut vegetables and seasoning ingredients are added. The hand moves, tossing the ingredients in a rhythmic manner with the same élan with which it moves on the harmonium.
From salads to soups, paneer sabjis to pastas, he is constantly in the kitchen throwing in ingredients to come up with dishes that become hits on the dining table. Shankar, the chef, enjoys making interesting dishes for his wife Sangeetha and sons Siddharth and Shivam, whenever he is at home in between his multifarious musical outings. This is another facet of this popular classicist, playback singer and music composer.
Shankar Mahadevan burst onto the musical arena with ‘Breathless,’ teaming up with poet-lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar. It went on to become one of the most iconic numbers. The collaborative album was commissioned by HMV and , Javed Akhtar’s idea to have a song without a pause found resonance in Shankar and the two worked on this memorable album. No concert of Shankar is ever complete without this song. The album is gearing up for a twentieth year landmark in 2018. As he gets ready to celebrate this achievement, 2017 has also been a year when he has crossed many other milestones in his personal life, like completing 25 years of his marriage and 50 golden years of his life.
Many avatars
“Music is my friend, my constant companion,” says Shankar, who in the past few decades has come up with chartbusters in various languages, performed classical and film music shows and judged and mentored youngsters in reality shows. A man of many avatars. How does he manage it?
He acknowledges the fact that his strong training in classical music under T.K. Balamani has been the pillar of his strength. “My Guru, a disciplinarian and a stickler for the traditional grammar, was also open-minded enough to allow her students to listen to different kinds of music. Her methodology was such that she would not teach me how to sing Kalyani, Arabhi or Mohanam ragas, but talk about how to structure, develop and embellish an alapana, whatever be the raga.”
Bombay Jayshri and Shankar Mahadevan with guru T.R. Balamani
He continues, “She was one person who could have achieved great fame had she chosen to seek it. But she decided to raise a body of students who would bring glory to her.” He speaks of his Guru’s magic formula of teaching principles along with the art of reading/learning by notation that steered him into a special place in the field of music.
It is quite common for the students to revere and love their guru. But T.K. Balamani had a special place in her heart for Shankar. In an earlier interview with her, she confided, “Naraiyaper Shankarai studenta koopita, aana avan avanaoda guru va marakavum ille, maatravum ille.” (Many gurus invited Shankar to be their student, but he neither forgot nor changed his guru).
Shankar Mahadevan wears his stardom lightly. He points out that his Guru continues to guide him even after she has left this world.
Shankar Mahadevan.
Few artistes reach the enviable place that Shankar has reached today but it is a rarity to see one with such affection and respect for fellow artistes. There is an honesty and open-mindedness about him that is so charming. It is also easy to get carried away by his sincerity. Any wonder that he draws a full house every time he goes up on stage.
When asked whether his training in classical music ever came in the way of his singing for films and other genres of music, he says, “The strong foundation has become a part of my system to such an extent that it has made me comfortable with any form of music. Besides training, you need to be focused and not shy away from hard work.”
Three is company
As a film music composer, his association with Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa has been another success story. The trio have managed to create music that strikes an instant chord with the listeners such as Mission Kashmir , Kal Ho Na Ho and Viswaroopam. Speaking about Viswaroopam , Shankar says, “We used a thumri in Tamil for the first time and it was an enjoyable experience. Collaborating with legends such as Pt. Birju Maharaj and Kamal Haasan were unforgettable moments.”
Shankar Mahadevan (centre) with Loy Mendonsa (right) and Ehsaan Noorani
When asked about their success formula? He says, “Reinventing ourselves constantly is the key to our longevity. We keep pushing the boundaries. We go through the whole process of creativity, disagreements and clash of ideas.”
Of his team SEL (and they sell well as a brand), Shankar says, “We are all so different with our own likes and dislikes, yet the core commonality binds us. We are mature enough to respect differences and find our strengths to work on.”
Speaking about the process of making music, he says, “It is a risk each time. Music is so abstract, it is a combination of words and melody. Is it going to appeal to listeners, is a constant question. So we keep looking for unchartered territories and move with the times. What is important is not to let mediocrity creep in.”
Shankar has performed with artistes of varied genres of music. Talking about these collaborations he says, “There is a need to have a bandhi with the fellow artistes. One must always remember the rules of theatre in these kinds of projects. Just as different actors play their parts and each of them are important for the success of the play, so also it is in collaborative concerts. Jugal-bandhi is when two artistes weave their styles to form a seamless tapestry, without upstaging one another.”
When he sings solo, Shankar understands that he has the undivided attention of his audience. And when it is a jugal-bandhi, he knows that he can only be an equal partner to bring about harmony. “It is when you adapt that you truly grow. When you grow, you don’t let your art become the breeding ground for inadequacies.”
Of acceptance, he says, “The audience for a classical concert is niche. Film music draws a larger crowd but it is heartening to see the uninitiated appreciate my classical rendition during a show.”
Talking about setting up the Shankar Mahadevan Academy with friend Sridhar Ranganathan, he says, “there is so much talent. Young music enthusiasts need to set their mind and heart towards their goal. There is no escaping hard work.”
The first online music academy that started with 15 students has now reached 72 countries and is affiliated to Berkely College of music. “The idea behind starting this academy was that nobody should be deprived of the opportunity to learn music, irrespective of age. The teaching module has been devised in such a way that it helps the learner enjoy the process.”
Drawing caricatures is a hobby Shankar enjoys, but has not pursued it due to lack of time.
Composing for films is on, but it is the private albums that have him excited. “I am working on an album with my two sons and in another one titled ‘My country My music,’ I am singing with folk musicians.” Would he like to do breathless again? Shankar says “No, that is done, I need to move on looking for fresh challenges.”
