Shankar Mahadevan Birthday: Top 10 Songs, and Awards of the Legendary Singer

Shankar Mahadevan, the renowned Indian musician, singer, and composer, celebrates his birthday today, on March 3. Known for his soulful voice and remarkable musical compositions, Mahadevan has left an indelible mark on the Indian music industry. His songs have touched millions of hearts over the years and will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.

Mahadevan’s journey in the music industry is nothing short of remarkable. Born in 1967, in Chembur, Mumbai, he started his career as a software engineer but soon realised his passion for music. Along with Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa, he formed the famous Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio, which went on to create some of the most iconic and memorable music in Indian cinema.

His versatility as a singer and composer is evident in the wide range of genres he has explored, from classical to contemporary, and his ability to infuse soul and emotion into every performance. With numerous hits to his credit, Mahadevan has received several prestigious awards and accolades for his work. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer five times, along with several Filmfare Awards and other honours.

As Shankar Mahadevan turns 57, let’s celebrate his birthday by revisiting some of his top 10 songs that have become anthems in their own right.

Shankar Mahadevan’s Top 10 Songs

1. BreathlessThis iconic song, composed and sung by Mahadevan, became an instant hit. It showcased Mahadevan’s incredible vocal abilities and creativity.
2. MaaFrom the movie Taare Zameen Par, this emotional song touched the hearts of millions with its heartfelt lyrics and soulful rendition by Mahadevan.
3. MitwaAnother gem from the trio’s repertoire, this song from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is a mesmerising blend of melody and emotion, beautifully sung by Mahadevan.
4. Dil Chahta HaiThe title track of the movie Dil Chahta Hai became an anthem for the youth, thanks to Mahadevan’s powerful vocals and the trio’s brilliant composition.
5. Man MohiniFeaturing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Nandini in the 1999 blockbuster Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, the song was composed by Ismail Darbar and written by Mehboob Kotwal.
6. Kajra ReThis peppy track from Bunty aur Babli became a hit shortly after its 2005 release. It was composed by Shankar, Ehsaan, and Loy, with lyrics by Gulzar.
7. Shree Ganeshay DheemahiNo celebration dedicated to Lord Ganesha is complete without the song from the movie Viruddh… Family Comes First. Released in 2005, the song has been immortalised by the legendary singer.
8. Ghei ChhandA classic hit from the Marathi film Katyar Kaljat Ghusli, features Shankar Mahadevan, Sachin Pilgaonkar, and Pushkar Shrotri. The song beautifully portrays the bee’s nature of visiting every flower for nectar, with vocals by Shankar Mahadevan.
9. Man MandiraAnother popular track from Katyar Kaljat Ghusli, this inspirational song is sung by Shankar Mahadevan, and composed by the iconic Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy trio, with lyrics by Mandar Cholkar.
10. Enna Solla PogiraiThis Tamil song from the film Kandukondain Kandukondain earned Shankar Mahadevan his first National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. Composed by AR Rahman, this folksy, romantic number continues to be a favorite among fans.

Notable Awards

Apart from these timeless hits, Shankar Mahadevan’s exceptional talent has earned him numerous awards and accolades, including National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, and several others. His contribution to the world of music has been widely recognised, making him one of the most celebrated musicians in India.

Here are some of the most notable awards he has received:

In 2000, he received the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his song Yenna Solla Pogirai from the film Kandukondain Kandukondain.

In 2007, he won another National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his song Maa from the movie Taare Zameen Par.

In 2011, he was honored with the Lata Mangeshkar Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

In 2012, Shankar Mahadevan received yet another National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his song Bolo Na from the film Chittagong.

In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri Award at an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan for his contributions to Film Music in the Arts category.

Most recently, Shakti, a band consisting of guitarist John McLaughlin, tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain, vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, percussionist V Selvaganesh, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, won the Grammy award in the Best Global Music Album category for This Moment at the 66th Grammy Awards 2024 held in Los Angeles, United States.

Additionally, he has also received an honorary doctorate (honoris causa degree) from Birmingham City University.

As the singer-composer celebrates his birthday, let’s rejoice in the musical legacy he has created. Here’s wishing the musical maestro a very happy birthday and many more years of creating beautiful music!