Shankar Mahadevan, who has written songs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, believes that music companies dominate the decision-making process in the industry.
Shankar Mahadevan, a singer-composer, says it’s all about presenting wonderful music in a “traditional public presentation” as he prepares for a live concert featuring modern and classical notes, as well as some nostalgia.
Shankar Mahadevan Live in Concert, produced and organised by Rahul Ranade and Deux Farming Films, will take place on December 3 at the Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai.
“In the past, when an artist performed in an auditorium, people would pay money to buy tickets to hear the music.” We intended to experiment with regular, traditional public performances. The performance is only a few days away and has already sold out.
“It’s about presenting them with good music,” the musician said in an interview with PTI.
Shankar Mahadevan: I wrote Breathless in a taxi on my way home from work in Navi Mumbai.
Shankar Mahadevan will sing well-known songs from the Bollywood, Marathi, folk, fusion, and devotional genres. The ‘Live Strings’ segment of the event will involve 32 performers.
“There will be a live session with a large orchestra.” “Rehearsing with them, placing and organising things, the process is incredible,” Mahadevan remarked.
S D Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Lata Mangeshkar, Madan Mohan, Shankar-Jaikishan, Mukesh, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Sahir Ludhianvi, and Majrooh Sultanpuri will be honoured in the ‘Retro Tribute’ area.
“We’re honouring all of these wonderful folks who have helped to construct a musical legacy.” It’ll be a fantastic musical experience. “I hope people enjoy it,” the 55-year-old musician said.
Shankar Mahadevan will be joined on vocals by Srinidhi Ghatate and Raman Mahadevan, as well as eight chorus singers. This will be Ranade and Mahadevan’s third collaboration, following a three-decade partnership. They previously collaborated on My Country My Music in 2014, as well as The Masters, a ‘jugalbandi’ between Mahadevan and Ustad Rashid Khan (2018).
“The process of creating is more exciting than the output itself on a cooperative process,” Mahadevan stated. Ranade lauded Mahadevan’s musical expertise and enthusiasm.
“Gaana Mere Bas Ki Baat Nahin” from Astitva, the Breathles’ album, and “Tanhayee” from Dil Chahta Hai, his work as part of the music composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, are two of Ranade’s favourite Mahadevan songs.
Shankar Mahadevan, who has written songs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, stated that music companies, regrettably, control the decision-making process in the industry.
He also bemoaned the relatively recent trend of enlisting numerous composers for a single film’s soundtrack. “It’s a strange period when many films have many composers.” In many projects, music firms and producers are in control of the music,” he explained.
However, there is some good music that is on its way.