S Mahadevan is among the foremost young performing musicians of Carnatic music in India today. Born to Sri M Sriram & Smt. Jayalekshmy Sriram on 27 August 1997. A prodigy, driven by divine in-born talent and bubbling enthusiasm in Vocal and Veena he was naturally drawn into the tutelage of his grandmother Smt. N Lalitha (disciple of Padmabhushan Sangita Kalanidhi Sri KS Narayanaswamy). He was initially trained by Sri Kavalam Sajeev and has also received guidance from Sri Mavelikara Subramaniam. Later he underwent advanced training for Vocal Music under the guidance of veteran musician Padmashri Parassala B Ponnammal for almost 13 years.
Mahadevan is an accomplished Indian classical musician with an intrinsic sense of melody and creativity. As a prominent musician in the Carnatic musical tradition, Mahadevan’s music enthralls listeners from around the world. He is known for his sonorous voice that he wields with much confidence and musical personality which he employs in tandem with his superior stagemanship. Music of Mahadevan is marked by the perfect unison of Bhava and Laya and sruthi soaked presentation of melodious musical compositions. He has a refined fingering technique with ease to cover both lower and higher octaves while playing the instrument Veena which is acclaimed as a hallmark in his recitals. Mahadevan naturally demonstrates depth and proximity to the lyrical aspect of a composition. His spontaneity, perfect pitching coupled with expressive and bhava laden rendering has won him appreciation from his co-artists and music connoisseurs.
As a special case in view of his talent and achievements as a child artiste, Director General, Prasar Bharati, New Delhi approved for gradation in both Carnatic Vocal and Veena. It is rare to get Akashavani Grade before 16 years which Mahadevan has achieved. Presently, he is an “A-Grade Artist” of Akashavani for both Carnatic Vocal & Veena. In the year 2008, Mahadevan was one among the 3 winners of Ragaratnam, a Classical Music Reality Show conducted by Amrita TV. The successful run in Ragaratnam was well appreciated by music lovers across the globe. His mellifluous rendition captured the attention and gained special appreciation from legendary music director Sri V Dakshinamoorthy Swami who was the house judge of the show. Mahadevan was the Pogo Amazing Kid Singer in the year 2010 & has also received Sri Shanmukhananda Bharat Ratna Dr. MS Subbulakshmi fellowship from Sri Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai in the year 2015. Ministry of Culture, Government of India has selected him as one among the young artists for Promotion of Art & Culture during 2018-20
Mahadevan has been playing Veena along with his singing from the age of 5 onwards & performed in New Delhi as the youngest Veena artist of South India. As a well sought after artist, he has been featured by many prestigious Sabhas and organizations for the propagation of Carnatic Music