Kailash Kher Biography
India’s Sufi Singer Kailash Kher was born on July 7th 1973. He is known to singing style of Indian Sufi music and Indian Classical Music. Born in the city of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. His father Mehar Singh Kher was a traditional folk singer. Kher’s first brush with music came in his childhood.
Brought up in a musical atmosphere, from his school days, he was enchanted and fascinated by music and used to listen to his father’s Indian folk’s songs all day. Even as a four-year-old,
Kailash Kher displayed natural musical talent and would often impress friends and family by belting out songs with his prematurely powerful voice.
Kailash Kher married Sheetal in February 2009 and their son Kabir Kher was born in December 2009.
Career
Kailash Kher left home at the mere age of 14 in search of a guru or an institution to further his musical training, and he embarked on years of classical and folk music study. According to Kher, “it was because I wanted to pursue my passion for music. It required me to stay in isolation“.
He also attended music classes and would teach students for just ₹150 per session to maintain himself, taking care of all his personal expenses from lodging to food, plus his education and musical expenses.
Although he couldn’t find the right guru or a school, Kher started learning music by listening to it. He listened to Indian classical singers like Pandit Gokulotsav Ji Maharaj, Pandit Kumar Gandharv, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, and later even Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, and their contemporaries.
He then experimented with a family friend’s Indian handicraft export business until 1999. However, when the business collapsed, he became depressed and even attempted suicide in early 1999. He went to Singapore and Thailand, and stayed there for six months.
He graduated from New Delhi, after returning from international he completed his education through correspondence.
Kailash Kher’s struggle started as soon as he moved to Mumbai, he did not have much connection to the industry but he did his best to find.
Ram Sampath wanted a new voice for his jingle and was looking for a fresh voice and he had just came across Kailash Kher. Kher’s foray continued with him singing jingles for TV and radio commercials, receiving critical acclaim for his unique style of singing.
He sang in commercials for big brands such as Coca-Cola, Citibank, Pepsi, IPL and Honda Motor Cycles. Since Kailash Kher did not have any powerful connections in the Bollywood’s Music industry he had to struggle through a lot of time to finally get mixed up with,
Bollywood music maestros, after constant struggle he got an opportunity to sing a song for movie Andaaz and the song was ‘’ Rabba Ishq Na Hove’’
And his song ‘’Alla Ke Bande’’ from Waise Bhi Hota Hain was highly recognized and loved song of the Bollywood during that time.
After His another famous song is “O Sikander” from Corporate.
Kailash Kher founded his own fusion band ‘Kailasa’ in 200 4in the city where he was struggling to get set in the industry he and musical duo brothers Paresh – Naresh Kamath.
Their first ever album as a band was Kailasa which was the band’s first album. Their second album, Jhoomo Re, released in May 2007, went on to be an equally smash hit. With songs like “Saiyaan“
and “Agad Bamm” touching the right chords with Indian as well as international audiences.
Kailasa’s third album, Chaandan mein released in June 2009, was yet another smash hit! He made his first international album on the acclaimed independent record label Cumbancha.
He released his fourth album, Rangeele, which was released by his owned company Kailasa Records in January 2012.
This album was widely acclaimed amongst the fans of Kailasa, and was critically acclaimed worldwide. Kher has also sung a non-filmy Nepali pop song such as “Phool Ko Thunga“
“Bolnai parcha bhanne K cha ra” from the album called Only Love in 2011.
The song “Teri Deewani“
From the album of the same name by his band Kailasa and the song “Ya Rabba” from the movie Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love had record sales.
He got opportunity to sing for the film Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. In the film his song “Jay Jay Kara” and “Jal rahi hai chita” became much popular.
Music Style
There are many singers in Bollywood who has a master in Sufi and Ghazal music, but it requires a special talent to have a special sound which is a mixture of all the sounds, Kailash Kher has bought a unique style and a fresh , raw and natural sound of voice.
There are many living legend who Kailash Kher finds his influencers and they have set many examples of to many growing and upcoming music talents.
There are many influencers of Kher such as, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
His songs have been famous for their unique, soulful music and classical lyrics. Kher is the only singer in India who often includes a classical lyrics and folk language in his solo albums and films.
Most of his film or non-film albums include romantic tracks with a touch of classical music, lyrics and traditional languages.
Bollywood Songs
Kailash Kher had also given his voice for many Bollywood movies like Chandni Chowk to China, Dasvidaniya, Sacred Evil, Sangini, Desi Kattey etc.
It is a very common for any of any artists to know many languages and to sing in many languages there are also many artists in the record who has sang in more than 30 languages but Kailash Kher have also sang songs for 20 languages. More than 500songs are been sang by Kailash Kher.
He has also ventured into the Kannada film industry. His hits from Kannada films include the songs “Hale Patre” from the movie Junglee and “Ekka Raaja Raani” from the movie Jackie.
He has composed and sung the title track of Star Plus’s serial Diya Aur Baati Hum along with Shubha Mudgal. He has also sung the title track of Colors serial “Udaan” along with the anthem for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the national campaign for cleaning India.
Television
Kailash Kher had appeared in many T.V Reality shows and have given his judgements for many contestants in many reality shows.
He has appeared in various television shows, including Wind of Change (Bangladesh) (Gaan Bangla), Saregamapa Li’l Champs (Zee TV), Mission Ustaad (9X), Indian Idol 4 (Sony), IPL Rockstar (Colors) and Rock On (MTV). In 2009, Kher appeared in Indian Idol 4 as a judge along with Javed Akhtar, Sonali Bendre and Anu Malik.
In 2013, Kailash Kher collaborated with singer Shreya Ghoshal for the first time for a mission titled ‘The Project Resound: Upgrade your Ears’, in which Kher wrote, composed, and invited Shreya to sing along a song named “Naina Chaar“.
This online initiative by Sony Music India, aimed to make people aware of the rising technological advancement in the field of music, which may make it difficult to distinguish between noise and music. The project also promoted the use of Sony headphones.
Collaborations
- A.R Rahman – Nanhi Si Jaan (2.0), Salvadore (Couples Retreat), Mangal Mangal (Mangal Pandey: The Rising), Yuhi Chala Chal Raahi (Swades)
- Anu Malik – Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Gali Gali Me Chor, Ab Tumnhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo.
- Vishal – Shekhar – Allah Ke Bande, Barf Khushi Hain, Chal Rahi Hain Saansein
- Himesh Reshammiya – Damadji Angana Hain Padhare, Meethi Meethi Baatein, Jhatka Maare
Awards
- Star Screen Awards Best Male Playback Singer – Waisa Bhi Hota Hain
- FilmFare Awards Best Male Playback – Fanaa
- GIMA Award – Chaandan Mein
- Indian Television Academy Award – Best Title Song – Tere Liye
- Indian Telly Award – Diya Aur Baati Hum
- Nandi Awards – Mirchi
- Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu – Pandagala Digivacchavu.
- Nepal Tourism Year Goodwill Ambassdor 2011 – Overall Contribution.
- Yash Bharti Award – Excellence in folk and classical music
