Who are critics? Asks Shankar Mahadevan

Shankar Mahadevan's latest composition of "Dil Dhadakne Do" with Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa hasn't received warm response from all the critics, but the singer-musician-composer isn't flustered.

"Who are critics? Do they know about music? Have they proved themselves in the field? I remember when we came up with the music of 'Dil Chahta Hai', some of the critics said that the songs sounded like jingles," Mahadevan told IANS after a music workshop at the three-day long International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards here on Sunday.

The music of Zoya Akhtar's family drama "Dil Dhadakne Do" with songs like "Gallan goodiyaan", "Pehli baar" and "Girls like to swing" garnered mixed response.

At the workshop, the singer even sang Arabic version of the title track of hugely popular movie "Dil Chahta Hai", starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna.

His son Siddharth, nephew Soumil and Loy's daughter Alyssa also showcased their musical talent by composing a hip-hop version of "Zinda", which originally has heavy rock beats, from "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag".

Looking at them, the happy Mahadevan told IANS: "I feel proud not because they are our children. They are the next generation and have so much depth...not superficial."

"They are not trying to act hep. They are composing melodies with passion," he added.

Mahadevan, who has an online music academy, believes it is important to practice and learn music.

"You can be successful without learning music, but success has nothing to do with quality," he said.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of the IIFA organisers. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)