The Mahadev Rockathon – Bands of Shiva

Old-time rockers may remember that Shiva was the name of a Kolkata (then Calcutta) band that belted out hits from Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin in ways that would have made Roger Waters and Robert Plant envious. Shiva, the deity, is now the centerpiece of India's biggest online concert.

The performing artistes

The Mahadev Rockathon brings artists like Salim Sulaiman, Kailash Kher, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Euphoria, Agnee, Indus Creed, Shaa'ir n Func and Shilpa Rao together in a marathon online concert on December 18 for the launch of Life OK, a new entertainment channel from the house of STAR TV.

The award-winning musical trio of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa have composed music for over fifty movie soundtracks and shot into prominence with the title track of Dil Chahta Hai. Among their most notable soundtracks have been for Taare Zameen Par, Wake Up Sid, Rock On!!, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Brothers Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant got their first break with filmmaker Karan Johar's movie Kaal. Salim-Sulaiman have scored music for movies such as Chak De India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Fashion. The duo has collaborated with artistes such as Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan. The musical duo has composed the brand anthem for the new TV channel Life OK.

Kailash Kher is a Kashmiri Indian pop-rock singer influenced by Indian folk music. In 2002, his song 'Allah ke Bande' from the movie Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II made him a household name. His song 'Teri Deewani' by his band Kailasa and the song 'Ya Rabba' from the movie Salaam-e-Ishq have become big record-sellers. He composed the song 'Ambar Tak Naara Gunjega' for the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement and sang it at Ramlila Maidan during Anna Hazare's protest. Kher has also scored the theme song for Sach Ka Saamna Season-2, soon to be aired on the new TV channel Life OK.

Shilpa Rao recorded 'Tosey Naina Lagey' for the movie Anwar and 'Saiyaan Re' for the film Salaam-e-Ishq. She has sung for many Bollywood films including Paa, Lafangey Parindey, Aamir, Dev D and the title song for Anjaana Anjaani. Shilpa won the award for Best Female Playback Singer at the Star Screen Awards 2008 for the song 'Khuda Jaane' from the movie Bachna Ae Haseeno. She recently appeared on Star World's popular TV series "The Dewarists" with Agnee and Parikrama.

Palash Sen, the front-man and a doctor, stuck to his dreams of performing in front of crowds and entertaining people. Bass player Debajyoti Bhaduri, joined hands with Palash in the early nineties and adopted Euphoria as his own dream. The duo has been playing together ever since.

With Euphoria's first album 'Dhoom', which released to critical acclaim and commercial success, the Delhi band became the pioneers of Hindi Rock. Their numbers 'Dhoom Pichuk' and 'Maaeri' became well known. Euphoria is an electrifying live act and released 'Dilli Meri Jaan' and 'Gateway to your heart', the theme tracks of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Shaa'ir + Func, comprising Monica Dogra and Randolph Correia, are an alternative electronic music duo from Mumbai. Considered one of India's most successful indie bands, they have released three albums — New Day: The Love Album, Light Tribe, and Mantis.

Indus Creed was founded as Rock Machine in 1985 by Uday Benegal (vocals), Mahesh Tinaikar (guitar), Mark Selwyn (bass), Jayesh Gandhi (guitar), Zubin Balaporia (keyboards) and Mark Menezes (drums). They toured India, UK and the Middle East and recorded three albums, won a bunch of awards and changed their name to Indus Creed. After disbanding ten years ago, Indus Creed regrouped last year in a new, contemporary form.
Agnee is an Indian rock band formed in 2006 and signed a major label record deal to release its debut album 'Agnee' in 2007. Agnee performs a collective of classic rock, pop and Indian influences alongside Carnatic and Hindustani classical influences.

This Rockathon is in sync with the launch of the new entertainment channel Life OK by Star.