Quotes from Shankar Mahadevan

I can't escape crooning the 'Mitwa... Kahe Dhadkan Tujhse Kya' number wherever I perform. Basically, I am a classically rooted musician.

An artist must be open to both appreciation and criticism. It's a part of the learning process, or else there is no growth.

My sons are my friends, too, and they have introduced me to new technology and new sounds from around the world. I have learnt a lot from them.

In any musician's career, a film like 'Manikarnika' becomes a landmark dream project, which is challenging and musically enriching at the same time.

I love Navi Mumbai, and I am proud to be a part of this city. The city has always inspired me to aim higher.

People should feel proud about the music that we have in our country, and that's my objective.

I am proud of my kids.

Music festivals are coming up everywhere in India, and that is the only way to go ahead. People are exposed to a wide variety of music, and the experience of being at a music festival itself is unique. It is an experience unlike any other.

I quit my software engineer job, decided that I would be a singer, and got married. Those days, there were no platforms like the 'Indian Idol.' It was like, you decide to become a singer, and then what do you do? It must have been tough for my wife getting married to a man without a job.

I feel music-making is more like a psychological game; each film has its own colour that needs to be identified and addressed.

I am associated with Namami Goda Foundation, and I believe rivers are the pulse of our country.

You can be successful without learning music, but success has nothing to do with quality.

Before the heart attack, I used to do a lot of work - what's needed and what's not needed. I used to sing songs that leave an impact and those that didn't. I could never say 'No.' Now, I have learnt to say it, though, and believe me, it has not been easy to do so.

The song 'Bolo Naa' from the film 'Chittagong,' which got me the National Award, wasn't even promoted in India, whereas the film won laurels all over the world.

We have harmonies, folk songs, and compositions attached to each occasion - ranging from birth, harvest, to our festivals. Our country thrives on culture, music, and arts. Musically, ours is a very rich country.

Heartbreak is something which is part of every person.

When you are busy with all the live shows and bands, world music and jazz music, it takes time to come back and do a pop album. It needs its own length of time.

I will be singing till my last breath.

Over time, people will notice what you are doing. Then you'll be in demand, and when you are in demand, you'll make money.

Music heals. Music grows new relations.

You will see nowadays TV's Top 20 and Radio's Top 20 tend to be the same. And then there are films that never reach to mass audience, and because of that, their soundtrack also dies a silent death.

Musicians should understand that it is not just about creating one hit but to sustain it at the top.

Who are critics? Do they know about music? Have they proved themselves in the field? I remember, when we came up with the music of 'Dil Chahta Hai,' some of the critics said that the songs sounded like jingles.

You have to be, become, the musician who can't be replaced.