As he celebrates another birthday, Kailash Kher continues to blend spirituality with sound, and embracing cultural pride.
Kailash Kher is one of the most soulful and distinctive musical artists in the country, and as he celebrates his 52nd birthday on July 7, it cannot be denied that his journey has seamlessly blended age-old folk traditions with modern-day Bollywood. His voice speaks to the soul, and he has managed to carved a niche for himself in Indian music space. In fact, he can be credited with imbibing the new generation with the richness of Indian folk and Sufi sounds.
To say the least, his gritty, powerful, and raw voice is instantly recognizable, and his singing, in an industry often dominated by polished playback voices, comes as a breath of fresh air.
As for his journey to music, it started off at a youg age when he drew inspiration from Indian classical legends and Sufi saints. Despite getting no formal training in a music school, his deep devotion to music made him into a force to reckon with.
His breakthrough came after years of struggle, and after years of financial hardship, he rose to fame arrived in 2003 with the release of “Allah Ke Bande” from Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II. The song made Kailash Kher a household name. Post that, he founded the band Kailasa, alongside musicians Paresh and Naresh Kamath, and delved into an altogether different genre of music with a blend of Indian folk, classical, and contemporary. His songs “Teri Deewani”, “Saiyaan”, and “Ya Rabba” are popular till date and they are nothing short of emotional experiences.
Through Kailasa, he turned Indian folk music deeply relevant, especially to young audiences.
While his independent band and its music flourished, he also became a popular playback singer in Bollywood and sang song across multiple languages and genres. Having worked with composers like A.R. Rahman, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Vishal-Shekhar, and Pritam, he has delivered songs like “Ya Rabba” (Salaam-E-Ishq), and “Chak De Phattey” (Khosla Ka Ghosla). He is adept to using folk-Sufi roots and adding them to the glitz of Bollywood music gave.
What certainly sets him apart is his desire to preserving India’s musical roots, be it at international music festivals or as a judge during reality shows. He has sung in over 20 Indian languages and represented Indian music on international stages. He was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2017.
As he celebrates his birthday and fans wish beloved artist, it can be easily said that his voice continues to bridge generations, genres, and hearts.
Happy Birthday, Kailash Kher.
