Ufff Teri Awaaz, I Don’t Know What To Say!

Music has always been that one constant partner that stays with us throughout our lives. Sad times remind us of Kal Ho Na Ho, weddings remind us of Bole Chudiyan, romantic moments remind us of Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye and family get-togethers remind us of Hum Saath Saath Hain. Our Spotify playlists have songs for almost every occasion.

Shantanu Mukherjee: Tuning To The Tunes Of Tuners; Image Source: Times Of India

Behti hawa sa tha woh

Udti patang sa tha woh

Kahan gaya usey dhoondo

Humko toh raahein thi chalati

Woh khud apni raah banata

Girta, sambhalta, masti mein chalta tha woh.

-From 3 Idiots

These lyrics have been with us since that road trip that was ventured by Raju and Farhan to find their best friend, Rancho. While there are films that touch our hearts, there are songs that stay in our hearts and playlists forever. We all have tough times in our lives when we fail to endure the stress and difficulties that life throws towards us, and it is music that soothes our troubled souls and makes us happy and satisfied from within.

Be it hostel ki maggi party or malls mein shopping songs, be it Kashmir se lekar Kanyakumari jaisi lambi road trips or mujhe neend na aaye mujhe chain na aaye wale sleepless nights, music has a huge fanbase. Aur jab har occasion pe alag alag gaane sunne ko milein, phir toh maza hi aa jaaye. Aur jab yeh gaane Shaan ki awaaz mein sunne milein, toh aur kya chahiye?

Shantanu Mukherjee aka the ever-smiling Shaan of the music industry sat on his musical chair at the tender age of four with a Bengali jingle. Dreaming to be a banker in his sleep, his days would pass in the absolute bliss of tunes and tones. Hailing from a family where his grandfather Jahar Mukherjee was a famous lyricist, his father Manas Mukherjee was a classical singer and music director, and his sister, Sagarika who is a famous singer, he too had a hidden talent of sweet melodies looming deep in his heart.

The sister-brother duo came into the limelight with their first pop turf contract backed by Biddu’s melodies and then a pop album named Naujawan. Though they were loved by the audience, people still wanted Shaan to take up projects that he would do alone. On public demand, Shaan finally released his first solo album named Love-ology. People also appreciated his remix of R.D. Burman’s Roop Tera Mastana, Pyaar Mera Dewaana.

Often appreciated for his soulful voice, seldom do his fans know that he is an equally amazing lyricist as well. Mukherjee wrote his first lyrics for the song “Bhool Ja” and this not only won the heart of millions but also became quite famous amongst radio lovers. From here started his journey to the top where every soul comes to a halt upon hearing his voice.

Apart from collaborating with Indian artists, Shantanu launched his album Aksar which consisted of songs featuring several international artists including Blue, Mel C, and Samira Said. Yet another international achievement by him was his song Shuruaat from Tishangi which was converted into a music video to promote the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

His father who was an amazing music composer though is no more, Shaan and Sagarika try to keep his legacy alive by releasing albums that feature Manas’ compositions. One such famous album is Tomar Aakash a Bengali album that was released in 2004.

Mukherjee’s avatar as a playback singer swooned many, and being a part of the Bollywood industry, he has been giving his soulful voice to many films. Some of his most famous songs include O Re Kanchi from Asoka, Kuch Toh Hua Hai from Kal Ho Na Ho, Main Aisa Kyun Hoon from Lakshya, Hey Shona from Ta Ra Rum Pum, Chand Sifarish from Fanaa, and many others.

His voice has a huge fanbase not only in the Bollywood industry but several other industries in various languages ranging from Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Malayalam, Odia, and Sindhi. Apart from lending his voice in almost all the industries, Shaan also runs several reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Star Voice of India, The Voice, and many others, to find young talents hidden across the country.

Today Shaan has two sons, Soham, who is an Indian rapper, and Shubh who is an Indian singer. The ever-smiling Shaan, with simple dimples on his radiant face, glows with love and affection when asked about his wife, Radhika. An amazing father, a caring husband, a loving brother, and last but not the least, an awe-inspiring singer, Shaan is that evergreen person whose persona lightens up the environment and his melodies calm our frazzled nerves.