Shankar
Mahadevan is one of India's most versatile and celebrated singers and
composers. He is best known for being part of the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio,
which has composed music for many Indian films. He is also known for his fusion
of Carnatic, Hindustani, and jazz music, which he showcases as a member of the
Shakti Music Band. Shakti is a band that combines the best of Eastern and
Western music, creating a unique and captivating sound that transcends
boundaries and genres.
The Early Years
Shankar
Mahadevan was born on 3 March 1967 in Chembur, Mumbai, into a Tamil Hindu
family originally from Palakkad, Kerala. He learned Hindustani classical and
Carnatic music as a child and began playing the veena at five under Shri
Lalitha Venkataraman. Mahadevan studied music under Pandit Shrinivas Khale and
T.R. Balamani. Shankar Mahadevan started by singing jingles for advertisements
and then made his debut as a playback singer in 1994 with the film Humse Hai
Muqabala (Hindi version of the Tamil film Kadhalan), in which he sang two
songs, "Petta Rap" and "Urvasi Urvasi" composed by A.R.
Rahman. He debuted his Bollywood with the song "Tum Nahi Jaana" from
the film Duplicate (1998) by Anu Malik. He has since sung numerous hit songs in
various languages, such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi,
etc.
The Shakti Connection
Shankar
Mahadevan joined Shakti in 2000 as a vocalist, replacing L. Shankar, who had
left the band in 1978. Shakti was initially formed in 1975 by John McLaughlin
(guitar), Zakir Hussain (tabla), L. Shankar (violin), and T.H.Vinayakram
(ghatam). The band was known for its fusion of Indian classical music with jazz
improvisation, creating a new genre of world music. The band disbanded in 1978
after releasing three albums: Shakti with John McLaughlin (1975), A Handful of
Beauty (1976), and Natural Elements (1977).
In 1999,
John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain decided to revive the band with new members:
Shankar Mahadevan (vocals), U. Srinivas (mandolin), and V. Selvaganesh (kanjira).
The new line-up of Shakti released their first album, Remember Shakti, in 1999,
followed by The Believer in 2000, Saturday Night in Bombay in 2001, and
Maestro's Choice: Series One in 2003. U. Srinivas left the band in 2004 and was
replaced by Niladri Kumar (sitar) in 2007. The band also collaborated with
other musicians such as Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute), George Brooks
(saxophone), Debashish Bhattacharya (slide guitar), etc.
Shankar
Mahadevan brought a new dimension to the band with his vocal prowess and
versatility. He sang in various languages, such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu,
Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, etc., and composed some of the songs for the band.
He said about his experience with Shakti, "It is a great honor to be part
of this band. It is a learning process for me every time I perform with them.
They are masters of their craft and inspire me to push my boundaries as a
singer and a composer."
The Shakti 50th Anniversary Tour
Shakti is
celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023 with a global tour showcasing their
musical legacy and evolution. The tour will feature John McLaughlin, Zakir
Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Ganesh Rajagopalan (violin), and V. Selvaganesh as
the core members of the band, along with some special guests such as Hariprasad
Chaurasia, George Brooks, Debashish Bhattacharya, etc. The tour will cover
various countries such as India, the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Italy,
Spain, etc.
The tour
will also coincide with the release of their new album, This Moment, which will
be their first album as Shakti in 46 years. The album will feature some of
their latest compositions that reflect their musical journey and maturity as a
band. The album will also include some of their classic songs that have been
re-arranged and re-recorded with new elements and sounds.
Shankar
Mahadevan said about the tour and the album, "We are very excited to
celebrate this milestone with our fans and music lovers worldwide. We have been
working hard on our new album and are eager to share it with everyone. We hope
that our music will touch the hearts and souls of our listeners and bring them
joy and peace."
The Boston Concert
One of the
highlights of the Shakti 50th Anniversary Tour will be their concert in Boston
on 17 August 2023. The show will be held at the Boch Center, Wang Theater, a
prestigious venue for music events and concerts. The concert will feature
Shankar Mahadevan as the band's lead vocalist, along with John McLaughlin,
Zakir Hussain, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and V. Selvaganesh. The show will include
songs from their new album This Moment, as well as some of their old favorites
such as "Lotus Feet," "Joy," "Luki,"
"Shringar," etc. The concert will also feature solo performances by
each band member, highlighting their talents and styles. The show will be a
treat for the ears and eyes of the audience, who will witness the magic and
harmony of Shakti's music live on stage.
How to Book Your Tickets
If you are
a fan of Shankar Mahadevan or Shakti, or music, this concert is a must-attend
for you as it allows you to listen to soul-stirring music from legendary
musicians. Please visit Suelkha to book your tickets. Booking tickets with
Sulekha will be a breeze; grab your tickets now and look forward to the year's
ultimate musical event!
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