Shankar Mahadevan recounts experiencing a momentary loss of consciousness at the Crypto.com venue in Los Angeles when his band Shakti’s “This Moment” was declared the victor for the best global music album, securing his inaugural Grammy.

Securing a Grammy Award for Indian music is a distinguished achievement, he conveyed a week following the international music gala where this year, five Indians clinched the esteemed award.

“These emotions are indescribable because they signify a sense of dignity and distinction.

“The Grammys platform epitomizes global music acknowledgment. I was exceedingly delighted and fortunate to be a minor constituent of this acknowledgment and the acknowledgment that Indian music received worldwide. It’s an extraordinary sensation. I want to express gratitude to the divine force for presenting me with this opportunity,” the vocalist articulated to PTI during an interview.

Shakti also features the founding member, guitarist John McLaughlin, tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram.

“You undergo a temporary loss of consciousness when your name is announced. You have to traverse that entire passage and ascend the stage,” Mahadevan, a segment of the musical composing trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, remarked.

Nevertheless, it elicits a sensation of relief because the apprehension during the anticipation of the award’s announcement, even during a minor school accolade ceremony, truly “torments you,” he expressed.

“And here (at the Grammys), it’s a melange of emotions. While the award ceremony unfolds, you’re assessing, ‘This will transpire, that will ensue. Oh perhaps, perhaps not!’ It’s chaotic. But it was a sentiment of sheer ecstasy and jubilation. We were simply reveling from the outset,” he appended.

It was also an utter coincidence that Mahadevan’s Grammy triumph and his authorized biography “The Musical Maverick” debuted on the same day on February 5th. The book is authored by Ashis Ghatak and published by Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd.

“I was immensely delighted that these two dates coincided, and my esteemed friend Ashis Ghatak’s hard work ultimately saw fruition… It was entirely unplanned, undecided, but it materialized,” he mentioned.

Ghatak, who has also penned the biography of Indian jazz luminary Louis Banks, reached out to Mahadevan, 56, for the book during the pandemic circa 2021.

The vocalist-composer expressed that he was moved by the author’s simplicity and fervor, which he observed at the unveiling of Bank’s biography.

“Ashis is straightforward, no-nonsense. I admire such individuals, he truly touched my heart. When he inquired, ‘May I compose a book or biography on you?’ I responded, ‘Yes, if you perceive me as worthy, please proceed’… The manner in which he commenced gathering details about my life and the individuals around me.. he toiled zealously, patiently. There are very few individuals like him,” the Mumbai-based musician articulated.

Veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar, a frequent collaborator of Mahadevan’s since the successful indie-pop album “Breathless,” has penned the preface of the biography. In the excerpt, Akhtar fondly reminisces about encountering “the musical virtuoso” for the initial time circa 1998 and how he hasn’t ceased to astonish him in the 30 years they have been acquainted.

Mahadevan conveyed that he is “privileged” to be connected with a maestro like Akhtar. Together, they have crafted memorable soundtracks in films such as the directorial debuts of Akhtar’s offspring: “Dil Chahta Hai” by Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar’s “Luck By Chance” as well as “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.”

“Javed ji holds significant importance. He has perpetually been there for me in the industry as a bastion of strength, support, and counsel owing to his extensive experience. He is an individual upon whom I can perpetually rely… I can lean on his shoulders and pursue whatever I desire. His backing is always extended to me,” Mahadevan articulated.

The entire industry, he remarked, holds Akhtar in high esteem.

“So I possess this sense of pride that ‘Oh I am acquainted with this individual who commands so much respect and he harbors affection for me too’. Not solely me, he harbors affection for my family, my spouse, and my progeny, it’s ineffable. We share an extraordinary connection.” As per Mahadevan, his biography encapsulates a “genuine life narrative about an unassuming, middle-class musician.”

“It’s challenging to be genuine, whether it’s your music, profession, or just the manner in which you exist. Authenticity is the hallmark of this book. I am unsure of how many individuals would be intrigued by knowing about my life because I am uncertain of its significance or excitement.

“If you admire my music, if you’re inquisitive to learn anything (about me), it’s delineated in the book. It delves into my splendid family, friends, my mentors, my lifestyle, everything is detailed. Individuals who desire to delve a bit deeper into my life would peruse it,” he articulated.

The musician’s forthcoming endeavors encompass numerous feature films, several OTT projects, and a plethora of engagements with the Shankar Mahadevan Academy, his namesake music school.

“A myriad of international collaborations are in the pipeline, particularly post the Grammy Awards… you become aware of a plethora of opportunities. Those are realms where you can delve into and bestow it upon the world,” Mahadevan expressed.