Singer and music composer Shankar Mahadevan inaugurated the eighth edition of the Bengaluru Poetry Festival on Saturday. In a session with author Ashis Ghatak, who wrote his biography, Mahadevan expressed his excitement about the festival. “I’m very motivated after the session. I really hope and pray that such festivals happen around the country,” he shared.
Mahadevan highlighted the importance of promoting poetic talents nationally and regionally, mentioning the abundance of Kannada poetry at the festival. He noted that similar events in other states could unearth underrated works in local languages.
Reflecting on the warm reception in Bengaluru, Mahadevan said, “The people here are so loving and welcoming. Despite my session being at 9:30 am, it was a full house! This shows their enthusiasm and respect for poetry.”
The session was filled with anecdotes and live music. Mahadevan performed hits like “Maa” (Taare Zameen Par), “Dil Chahta Hai” (Dil Chahta Hai), and “Shree Ganeshay Dheemahi” (Viruddh). He shared that the title track of “Dil Chahta Hai” came to him while brushing his teeth, leading to a shift in focus from another song.
Discussing his career, Mahadevan recalled his humble beginnings in Chembur, Mumbai, and how he started with commercial jingles. His collaboration with AR Rahman introduced him to South Indian music, earning him a National Award for “Yenna Solla Pogirai.”
Mahadevan also recounted the creation of “Kajra Re” (Bunty Aur Babli) with Gulzar, illustrating how poetry and music seamlessly blend.