Kailash Kher On Music, Childhood, Struggle, Success & Making Teri Deewani | FO 255 Raj Shamani
Kailash Kher shares his remarkable journey from a struggling runaway child to becoming a renowned singer. He discusses leaving home at 12, facing numerous hardships including failed businesses, and eventually finding success through music with hits like 'Allah Ke Bandy' and 'Teri Deewani'.
Summary
This comprehensive interview with Kailash Kher reveals the extraordinary story of India's celebrated folk-fusion singer. The conversation begins with Kher explaining the spontaneous creation of his hit song 'Teri Deewani' during a live concert in Delhi, where he improvised the entire song in front of an audience. The interview then delves deep into his challenging childhood, starting with his decision to leave home at just 12 years old after a confrontation with a family member. Kher describes years of struggle in Delhi, working various odd jobs including at a printing press where he was never paid, and later starting an export business dealing in handicrafts to Germany. His business eventually collapsed, leaving him in debt and despair, leading to a suicide attempt in the Ganges river in Rishikesh. After this turning point, he moved to Mumbai with hopes of creating a spiritual music album. Despite initial rejections from record companies, he gradually found work singing jingles, eventually meeting composer duo Vishal-Shekhar who gave him his breakthrough with 'Allah Ke Bandy'. The song's massive success transformed his life overnight, leading to awards, recognition, and collaborations with A.R. Rahman. Kher discusses his unique approach to music, emphasizing spirituality and authenticity over commercial trends. He shares insights about his international performances, technical requirements for concerts, and his philosophy of staying true to his authentic voice rather than imitating others. The interview concludes with his reflections on receiving the Padma Shri award and his mission to preserve and promote non-film and folk music in India.
Key Insights
- Kher spontaneously created his hit song 'Teri Deewani' during a live concert at Pragati Maidan in Delhi, improvising the entire song including lyrics and melody in front of the audience without his musicians knowing what was coming next
- He ran away from home at age 12 after a confrontation and survived years of poverty in Delhi, working at a printing press for a full year without receiving any payment, illustrating the harsh realities faced by runaway children
- Record companies initially rejected his music saying 'it's not a hero kind of voice' and calling it 'too old fashion', but these same companies called him after 'Allah Ke Bandy' became a hit, wanting to release his album
- Kher attempted suicide by jumping into the Ganges river in Rishikesh due to overwhelming failures and depression, but was rescued by someone, marking a turning point in his spiritual and musical journey
- Prime Minister Modi specifically mentioned that Kher changed not just singing but the very form of singing itself, noting how his spiritual songs like 'Tujhe Jeet Jeet Haaru' came during an era of crude commercial music, leading to his Padma Shri recognition
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