Shankar Mahadan Academy turns 15

At a press meeting at a press meeting at the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies Center (SAACS) in Bengaluru, the wind was buzzing with more than the media nonsense. It raised vowels, stories and some deeply echoes.

“We never knew that this day would come so fast,” Shankar Mahadevan said, shocking eyes, Shankar Mahadevan Academy (SMA) shows a 15-year journey of Mahadevan Academy (SMA)-one of the dreams that started with 15 students, most of them have spread to his niece and nephew, and today a global music movement is spread in 94 countries. “It felt like a renovation of the purpose,” said the singer and musician based in Palakkad.

Shankar Mahadevan Academy, was established in 2011 by Shankar and technology entrepreneur Sridhar Ranganathan, who was trying to do something unique at that time, providing online music education. “People laughed. Music? Online? Will it also work?” Shankar remembered. It did not just work, it increased.

Today, more than 50,000 students have learned through the academy’s unique digital platforms, with more than half a million live classes. The numbers tell only part of the story. To celebrate its 15th year, the academy is launching courses beyond the traditional course, including garb music, a course to expect mothers that use classical raga to make emotional and spiritual relations before birth.

“Inside the academy, we call it ‘Minus to Infinity’,” Ranganathan smiled. Poetry phrase catchs a powerful belief – this music is not only to learn or perform, but for living, treatment and relationship. Another offering, the playback singing series, equally ambitious-a rigid, multi-year training program that fuses classical basic things with film music, prepares candidates for the fine world of playback singing.

Over the years, SMA has expanded to other areas, including the confluence, a student-teacher concert and an aristocratic forum for dedicated learners. “These are not just students. They are seekers,” said Shankar. “This is not just education – it is an emotional heritage.”

The SMA has bridged generations to children who have never sung before children who have never sung before children. “When I see a grandfather in Toronto learning with my granddaughter in Bengaluru … it’s magical,” Mahadevan shared.

The academy has initiated initiatives including SMA Nirvana – live music performance for patients in hospitals and dharamshalas, SMA Mascara, a pension program for aged or injured musicians, and a inclusive initiative for children on the autism spectrum, a happy song.

His non-profit wing has helped to teach children in Dharavi, Goa, and now, through their latest initiative-reach India for students in remote villages through internet-operated classes.

“A teacher in Ahmedabad is teaching children in Kumbhkonam – and they all perform for me,” Shankar said, admitting that the journey has given them a deep sense of fulfillment. “I have always entertained music. But through this academy, I learned that music can change.”