Shankar Mahadevan to perform with sons Siddharth and Shivam

Ask any artiste and he'll tell you that making music is an emotional affair. Naturally then, it becomes all the more personal when you're sharing the experience with your sons. Composer-singer Shankar Mahadevan says he's the most content when performing with his boys, Siddharth, 24, and Shivam, 16. Having performed at gigs together, the trio shot for MTV Unplugged recently. This also marks Shankar's debut on the TV show.'

"Siddharth has performed on the show before, but this is Shivam and my first outing. Performing with them is special. I am a proud father," says Shankar. While the younger one is taking baby steps into the world of music, Siddharth is making a mark in Bollywood with hits like Zinda (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag; 2012) and Nachde Ne Saare (Baar Baar Dekho; 2016) to his credit. The senior musician is happy that his sons follow their own choices instead of following in his footsteps. "Even though we belong to the same industry, as a father, I take pride in saying that Siddharth and Shivam have followed their own instincts when it comes to music."

Ask him if he has learnt something from his boys, and Shankar says, "They are more clued-in, as far as the current trends, newer artistes and aesthetics are concerned, especially international music. I learn a lot about the musical forms, sonic dynamics, styles and beats from them."