A soulful journey to Kailasa

Chitra Unnithan - Times of India - India

Saturday, December 9, 2006

A sensational singer, Kailash Kher comes across as a person who breathes music. It's really a pleasure to meet Kailash Kher. He breaks into one of his soulful songs while posing for the camera. He flashes an amiable smile while sharing his vivid experiences of life.

Mention to him that the youth today goes down on its knees while listening to his Sufism and he is quick to reply, "The youth has added an amazing charm to this era where emotions, technology and hope seem to have blended well. It's a blessing to be witnessing this phase."

Be it 'Teri Deewani', 'Tauba Tauba', 'Rang Deni', 'Mangal Mangal' 'O Sikandar' or the very well received 'Allah Ke Bande', Kailash simply enchants when he sings.

Coming from a simple background, Kailash considers the fast paced life today as the only change in his life post fame. "The course of my life or my thoughts have not changed one bit," he informs.

Time and again he is referred to as Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. How does he take such compliments? "Compliments are attached to the feelings of the person giving them and they have a lot of emotional value for me," he explains.

And which is the best compliment he has received so far? "Once this elderly lady in America came upto me and said, 'When Kailash sings, God sings.' Another one that I hold close to my heart was from Pandit Jasraj who said, 'Your concerts take me through a spiritual journey.'

And they mean a lot to me when they come from such legends," says this effervescent music creator whose enthusiastic spirit shows in his work. Rubbishing reports that he sang for beggars and had a chaiwalah as a friend at Andheri railway station where he stayed for sometime, he says, "That was a slightly hyped story about me. The chaiwalah was only an acquaintance. Yes I did live on the railway station for sometime but then, I don't feel extraordinary today to be where I am. I sing for my audience who I consider bhagwaan ka swaroop and call my work Kailasa, which means heaven, " he avers.

In the city to attend a cultural festival and promote child labour, Kailash has done umpteen charity concerts. "I did an AIDS concert last week for the Richard Gere foundation that was a true balle balle show," he informs.

Ask him about his love life and he smiles knowingly. "No time for love. Moreover, my love life would not bring any social change, so why write about it?" he asks.

From singing jingles to mesmerising people with his distinctive and unconventional voice, Kailash has become a household name with a schedule full of concerts and recordings with music directors.

After working with so many actors, which is the actor he is looking forward to sing for? "I really admire Ajay Devgan. Hamara nature kaafi milta hain. John Abraham aur Abhishek Bachchan toh solid hain," he exclaims.