The man is breathless with success. But, it is his myriad facets as a musician that leaves us breathless with surprise and admiration. Shankar Mahadevan is having the time of his life. For he is a rare mixture of singer, composer and an extremely good performer. We stole a few breathtaking moments with him, just before one of his numerous visits abroad.

For starters, let's fill you with a few crumbs of information that can set your appetite jingling for more. Shankar started learning Classical music at the age of 6. He hasn't had any formal education in music, but still he is proficient both with Carnatic as well as Hindustani forms of Indian classical music.

He feels, other than the usual training, one learns a lot from being with musicians who are rich in their art. And would you like to name a few, who left a mark on you Shankar! "Ghulam Ali Khan, Tara Devi, Srinivasa Iyyer, N Krishnamurthy, his guru T R Balamani, Bobby Mcferin, Pink Floyd and many more. A good classical base definitely helps in understanding any form of music whatsoever," he informs.

His classical base has definitely stood him in good stead. For he has sung delightful jingles like Kuch Khaas Hai Hum Sabhi Mein for Cadburys Dairy Milk, has had a successful private album Breathless, has been doing playback singing in ten Indian languages and is also a composer. For he has teamed up with his friends Loy Mendonsa and Ehsaan Noorani to compose soundtracks for movies like Shool, Dillagi, Rockford, Mission Kashmir and Dus. To add to these acheivements, he is also the proud recipient of a National Award for best playback singer for Rajiv Menon's Kandukondain Kandukondain.

I am sure, you guys are already breathing heavily. But trust me, there's more to follow! Shankar Mahadevan is into music, other than the typical mainstream stuff as well, for he feels "All forms of music give satisfaction. It is difficult to strike a balance. I react to my instincts. For me it doesn't matter whether it is film music, jingles or anything else. I just enjoy myself and follow my heart. I literally breathe music all the time," he says.

He has had a hearty stint with Swiss group Mynta, while also being an intrinsic part of  the Louis Bank headed jazz outfit - Silk. Does he enjoy performing impromptu, or is he more into belting out his film hits! "Well, as I stated earlier, I really can't differentiate. Yes, while performing impromptu, one does get a different kind of kick, but that's about it," he philosophises.

I will take a slight break here and recollect my early impressions of Shankar Mahadevan and how the fondness and respect grew with time. The earliest memory is of the evergreen jingle Kuch Khaas Hai Hum Sabhi Mein/ Khaas Hai, Baat Hai/ Kya Baat Hai, Zindagi Mein...I was a teenager when I heard it first. I found the words to be very inspiring, the composing of Louis Banks was simply great! and Shankar's vocals gave it a timeless quality.

The next reminiscence is when I heard his haunting Alaap in a private album - Music for Romance taken out by Music Today. But the respect transformed into sheer Awe after listening to his maiden album Breathless with the Idea Master Javed Akhtar. One can find Shankar in full form on this well produced venture which took nearly two years for completion.

The flood gates of opportunity opened graciously thereafter. For he got offers left, right and centre. Today, he is an extremely busy professional. For if he is not doing jingles, serial title tracks, playback for films and performing live, then he is busy composing. How do you manage such a hectic schedule Shankar! "Well, it just happens, and moreover, music for me is second to breathing, an integral part of my life and it is also a source of livelihood," he says.

I can assure you guys, that he is being modest when he says that. For he could have minted money otherwise too, as he is a Software Engineer. And the breed feasting on Oracle Corporation are cutting a rich harvest in the  Silicon Valley. But, he is doing damn well for himself monetarily as well. Shankar Mahadevan is a brand that sells. And for the first time in the history of advertising, a product like Ford Icon, hired Shankar and Javed Akhtar to produce a song as part of their promotional excercise. The reported cost of the video of the song itself is Rs 20 lakh. You can imagine the remuneration of the stars who actually made it happen.

Let's move ahead and clip a few more seeds of information before he flies away to another heady musical destination. Shankar, you've sung for many composers, but your association with A R Rahman has borne rich fruits and a national award as well. Any comments! "The best part about Rahman is that he loves his job. He is an asset to our country, a real treasure. I rate him very high," he judges.

Rahman is one of those who introduced the relevance and necessity of Technology in music. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy seem to follow this trend very truthfully as well. Their film music albums are always very well produced. The quality of sound, the texture, the tones of music instruments are dutifully taken care of. The result is apparent in the listening quality of the final product. "Being technology savvy really helps. It all depends on the way you write your songs. The future shall belong to those who are with the times and who are accepting the new modes," he says.

Don't you wish to know as to what Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are currently working on? You sure do! So, here's the dope on them. They are currently working on Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai, Kamal Hasan's Abhay, Bappa's Shafaq and another film called Nai Padosan. But what about the Non-film works that actually earned Shankar his deserving success? "I have just returned from Khandala where we were composing for my next private album," he informs.

So people, you sure seem to be high on breathlessness. Are you! Well, the man surely manages to whip up such euphoria that it is difficult to ignore his stupendous acheivements. And more so, the length and breadth of them. We asked him, last but not the least, who is Shankar Mahadevan! "A guy who completely lives for the moment that he is existing in." Need we say more.....

Text and Pics by : Faridoon Shahryar