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Kailash Kher Biography – an Indian Music Composer and Singer

Kailash Kher is an Indian music composer and singer. He sings songs with a music style influenced by Indian folk music and Sufi music.

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Real Name: Kailash Kher
Profession: Indian music composer and singer
Birthplace: Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Spouse: Sheetal Bhan
Age: 49

Kailash Kher (born 7 July 1973) is an Indian music composer and singer. He sings songs with a music style influenced by Indian folk music and Sufi music. He was inspired by the classical musicians Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, and the Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Kailash Kher received the Padma Shri award in 2017 from the Indian government. He has also received two Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer: one for the Hindi film Fanaa (2006) and one for the Telugu film Mirchi (2013), along with several other nominations. With his powerful voice and his unique style of music, Kher has established himself as one of the most popular playback singers in India.

Kailash Kher Biography
Kailash Kher Biography
Kailash Kher Biography
Background information
Born 7 July 1973 (age 49)
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Genres
  • Indian Folk
  • Sufi
  • Pop
  • Sufi Rock
  • Spiritual
  • Nirgun
Occupations Singer, lyricist, composer
Instruments Vocals, harmonium
Years active 2003–present
Labels Soor Mandir
Website www.kailashkher.com

Early life and struggle (Kailash Kher Biography)

Kher was born on 7 July 1973 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India in a Kashmiri family. 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 songs all day. Even as a four-year-old, Kher displayed natural musical talent and would often impress friends and family by belting out songs with his prematurely powerful voice.

At the age of 14, Kher left home 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 him, “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.

Kailash Kher Biography
Kailash Kher Biography

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.

Later, after relocating to Delhi with his family, he graduated from Delhi University through the correspondence program.

In 2001, Kher left Delhi for Mumbai, the center of India’s highly competitive music industry, as a professional singer. For a while, Kher struggled, living in cheap hostels and doing whatever musical work he could find to make ends meet.

Career beginnings (Kailash Kher Biography)

Jingles

Kher had to struggle to get a chance in Bollywood. He got an opportunity to sing a song for the movie Andaaz. In this movie, his song “Rabba Ishq Na Hove” became more popular. His song “Allah ke Bande” from the obscure movie Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II became very popular and this song made him a popular singing star in Bollywood.

He sang a number of the songs in the Bollywood film Mangal Pandey: The Rising, in which he had a cameo appearance. His other famous song is “O Sikander” from Corporate. 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 an opportunity to sing for the film Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. In the film, his song “Jay Jay Kara” and “Jal rahi hai chita” became more popular.

Kher has a uniquely soulful, raw, and high-pitched voice. I remember how I first heard of him. I had asked Mehboob, our lyricist, for a new voice that is earthy and strong, and he said, I have just the person for you. That voice can only be that of Kailash! And he sent Kailash to meet me. The moment I heard him, I knew that there was a voice that was so wonderful, and which had its own unique space… I want to say that Kailash Kher’s voice has something that had been lacking a lot – it had pure soul! Allah Ke Bande is one of my all-time favorite songs.

Vocals and music style (Kailash Kher Biography)

Kher has a raw, soulful, fresh, high-pitched, and sharp voice. Unlike others, he mainly sings Ghazal, Sufi, folk, Qawwali, and other devotional songs. He has been greatly influenced by classical singers including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Bal Gandharva, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, etc.

He can sing in a wide vocal range from high to low-pitched songs. His songs have been famous for their unique, soulful music and classical lyrics. Kher is the only singer in India, who often includes 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.

Commercial music (Kailash Kher Biography)

He has given music scores for numerous movies like Chandni Chowk To ChinaDasvidaniyaSacred Evil, Sangini, Desi Kattey, etc. He has also penned lyrics in a few movies like Chandni Chowk To China, Dasvidaniya, Kaal, and Traffic Signal.

By 2014, he had sung in more than 20 Indian languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali, Sindhi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Konkani, Rajasthani, etc. for Indian films and more than 500 songs for the Hindi film industry and recorded more than one thousand radio and television advertising jingles.

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.

Non-film work (Kailash Kher Biography)

Kailasa

He formed Kailasa in Mumbai in 2004, with Mumbai-based musician brothers, Paresh Kamath and Naresh Kamath, whom he met in Mumbai.

Kher launched his latest album “Ishq Anokha” in Kolkata in 2016

The band’s first album, Kailasa, released in March 2006, went on to revive the Indian pop music market. The album was an immediate smash hit.

Their second album, Jhoomo Re, released in May 2007, went on to be an equally smash hit. Songs like “Saiyaan” and “Agad Bamm” touch the right chords with Indian as well as international audiences.

Kailasa’s third album, Chandan 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 own 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 non-filmy Nepali pop songs such as “Phool Ko Thunga” and “Bolnai parcha bhanne K cha ra” from the album called Only Love in 2011.

2016 marks the return of Kher with his brand-new melodies, Ishq Anokha. This album, self-produced and distributed by SaReGaMa was a chartbuster shortly after its launch. Ishq Anokha comprises eight fresh numbers as ‘Ishq Anokha’, ‘O Jogi’, ‘Meharbani Teri’, ‘Berukhiyaan’, ‘Vaari Vaari’, ‘Guru Ghantal’, ‘Turiya Turiya’ and an electro version of the track ‘Vaari Vaari’. The album had to be launched thrice, in 3 different metropolitan cities, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata

Performances and international concerts (Kailash Kher Biography)

He has not only performed for the southeast Asian diaspora but also international audiences in festivals and venues such as GlobalFest at New York‘s Webster Hall, Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), Stern Grove Festival (San Francisco), Celebrate Brooklyn, Santa Monica Pier Festival (LA), Fillmore Center (San Francisco), Hollywood Bowl (LA), Hammersmith Apollo (London), Symphony Hall (Birmingham), Massey Hall (Toronto). In 2007, he participated in a concert tour in North America entitled “The Incredibles”, also starring Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, and Kunal Ganjawala. In March 2011, Kailasa performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Maximum India festival. Kher performed at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

In 2012, as part of Kailasa’s third Nepal tour, Kher performed at Dhaka in Bangladesh, Nairobi in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Congo, Karachi in Pakistan, and Muscat in Oman.

Television and reality shows (Kailash Kher Biography)

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 AkhtarSonali Bendre, and Anu Malik.

In 2013, 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 to 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.

On 15 March 2014, Kher appeared in the celebrity talk show Comedy Nights with Kapil, on the special occasion of Holi celebrations.

Music for social causes (Kailash Kher Biography)

In 2011, He composed a song called “Ambar Tak Yehi Naad Goonjega” for the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare which is popularly known as the “India Against Corruption Movement”. Kailash didn’t charge a professional fee for singing this song.

He lends his voice to the Clean India Mission theme song, ‘ Swachha Bharat Ka Irada Kar Liya Humne’, which is lyrical Prasoon Joshi. Taking forward the Clean India Mission, Kher visited several places in the PM’s parliamentary constituency drawing praise from Narendra Modi.

Bravo @kailashkher! I congratulate you for joining Swachh Bharat Mission in Varanasi. An admirable effort,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

Kher also did a viral video campaign called #KyaKisikoPadiHai along with Jose Covaco as a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The campaign was directed by Harnish Ambaliya.

Kher was also invited by the PM to accompany him on his first USA tour, where they performed at the SAP center community reception in San Jose, California on 27 September’15.

In 2019, Kher sang another song called “Bol Re Dilli Bol” which was again based on the ensuing political happenings in Delhi. Bol Re Dilli Bol song is part of the 7-episode web series titled “Transparency: Pardarshita”.

Personal life (Kailash Kher Biography)

Kher married Sheetal Bhan in February 2009, and their son Kabir was born in December 2009.

Kailash Kher with his Family
Kailash Kher with his Family

Controversies

Kher was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women during the Indian Me Too movement in 2018.

Awards and nominations (Kailash Kher Biography)

Film awards and other honors

Year Award(s) Category Title Song(s) Result
2004 Star Screen Awards Best Male Playback Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part 2 “Allah Ke Bande” Won
Star Guild Awards Best Male Playback Singer Nominated
2007 Filmfare Awards Best Male Playback Singer Fanaa “Chand Sifarish” Won
2009 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Arundhati “Kammukunna Cheekatlona” Nominated
2010 GiMA Award Gima Award for Best Popular Music Album Chaandan Mein Solo Album Won
Indian Television Academy Awards Best Title Song Tere Liye “Tere Liye” Won
Indian Telly Awards Won
2011 Zee Rishtey Awards Favourite Guru-Shisya Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs Nominated
2011 Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Kannada Best Male Playback Singer Jackie “Ekka Raja Rani” Nominated
2012 Indian Telly Award Best Title Singer for a TV Show Diya Aur Baati Hum Title Song Won
2013 Nandi Awards Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer Mirchi “Pandagala Digivachchavu” Won
2014 Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Best Male Playback Singer Mirchi “Pandagala Digivacchavu” Won
2015 Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Kannada Best Male Playback Singer Un Samayal Arayil “Ee Janumave Ahaa” Nominated
Year Award(s) Category Result
2011 Nepal Tourism Year Goodwill Ambassador 2011 Overall Contribution Won
2010 Yash Bharti Award Excellence in folk and classical music Won
2017 Padma Shri – Fourth Highest Indian National Honour Art-Music Won
2019 SIIMA Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Bharat Ane Nenu Nominated

Discography/Filmography (Kailash Kher Biography)

Hindi songs

Year Film Song Composer Language(s)
2021 Dhindora “Dhindora” Bhuvan Bam Hindi
“Desh Par Jaan Lutaenge” Prashant Mahabal Hindi
Mimi “Choti Si Chiraiya” A. R. Rahman Hindi
Sulthan “Pudhu Saththam” Vivek-Mervin Tamil
2020 Transparency:Pardarshita “Bol Re Dilli Bol” Pravesh Mallick Hindi
2019 Udyama Simham “Jayaho Jananetha” Dileep Bandari Telugu
2018 Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava “Yeda Poyinado” S. Thaman Telugu
2.0 “Nanhi Si Jaan” A.R. Rahman Hindi
Bharat Ane Nenu “Vachaadayyo Saami” Devi Sri Prasad Telugu
2017 Poster Boys “Noor E Khuda” Tanishk Bagchi Hindi
2017 Mersal “Aalaporaan Tamizhan” A. R. Rahman Tamil
2017 Jaya Janaki Nayaka “Veede Veede “ Devi Sri Prasad Telugu
2017 Baahubali: The Conclusion “Jay Jaykara” M.M. Keeravani Hindi
2016 Shivaay “Tere Naal Ishqa” Mithoon Hindi
2016 Housefull 3 “Fake Ishq” Tanishq Bagchi and Abhishek Hindi
2015 Dum Laga Ke Haisha “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” Anu Malik Hindi
2015 Baahubali “Kaun Hai Woh”, “Jal Rahin Hain”, “Moochile Theeyumaay” M.M. Keeravani Hindi, Tamil
2015 Muddu Manase[1] “Neev Kelabardu” Vineeth Raj Menon Kannada
2015 Gopala Gopala “Enduko Enduko” Anoop Rubens Telugu
2014 Un Samayal Arayil “Indha porappu than” Ilayaraja Tamil
2014 Aambala “Madras to Madurai Hiphop Tamizha Tamil
2014 Galipatam “Yeh Allah” Bheems Ceciroleo Telugu
2014 Desi Kattey “Daagh De” Himself Hindi
2014 Arundhati “Joy Joy Ma” Jeet Ganguly, Koti Bengali
2014 Lakshmi “Hai Reham Hai Karam” Tapas Relia Hindi
2014 Kahin Hai Mera Pyar “Allah Tala” Ravindra Jain Hindi
2014 Rang Rasiya “Anhad Naad” Sandesh Sandilya Hindi
2013 Bombay Talkies “Bombay Talkies (Duet Version)” Amit Trivedi Hindi
2013 Mirchi “Pandagala digi vachavu” Devi Sri Prasad Telugu
2012 Chingari “Baare Baare” V. Harikrishna Kannada
2012 Saarathi “Vajra Ballalaraya” Kannada
2012 Nuvva Nena “Vayyari Blackberry” Bheems Ceciroleo Telugu
2012 Kya Super Kool Hain Hum “Shirt Da Button” Meet Bros Anjjan Hindi
2012 The Real Life of Mandi Hindi
2012 Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya “Fan Bann Gayi” Sachin–Jigar Hindi
2012 Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai “The Title Song” Anu Malik Hindi
2011 Rajanna “Karakuraathi Gundello” M.M. Keeravani Telugu
2011 Love Mein Ghum “Sohniye Yaadan” Ravi Bal Urdu
2011 Aazaan “Bismillah” Salim–Sulaiman Hindi
2011 Bombay March 12 Malayalam
2012 Sidlingu “Chombo chombu” Anoop Seelin Kannada
2012 Thoo Nan Makla “Aarakshaka” Kannada
2010 Jackie “Ekka Raaja Raani, Nanna kaiyolage” V. Harikrishna Kannada
2010 Krishnan Love Story “Mosa maadalende neenu bandeyaa” Kannada
2010 Naanu Nanna Kanasu Ondu Maamara Hamsalekha Kannada
2010 Paathshaala Aye khuda Hanif Sheikh Hindi
2010 Love Sex aur Dhokha “Tu Gandi”, “Tainu TV Per Wekhya”, “Naa Batati Tu”, “Love Sex aur Dhokha”, “Tauba Tauba (Remix)” Sneha Khanwalkar Hindi
2010 Karthik Calling Karthik “Kaisi Hai Yeh Udashi Chayi” Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Hindi
2010 Phas Gaye Re Obama “Sara Pyaar Hai Bekaar” Manish J. Tipu Hindi
2009 Live From Stern Grove Festival: 2009 “Tauba Tauba” English
2009 Couples Retreat “Salvadore” A.R. Rahman English
2009 Rajani “Tiruboki” Kannada
2009 Kaminey “Fatak” Vishal Bhardwaj Hindi
2009 Parichaya “O Nanna Olave” Kannada
2009 Aakashamantha “Chinnamma Kalyanam”, “Okanoka Vurilo” Vidyasagar Telugu
2009 Arundhati “Kammukunna Chikatlona, Gummiruttil kudamkizhithu” Koti Telugu, Tamil(dubbed version)
2009 Junglee “Hale Patre Hale Kabbuna” V. Harikrishna Kannada
2009 Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani “Tu Jaane Naa (Unplugged Version)” Pritam Hindi
2009 Delhi-6 “Arziyan” A.R. Rahman Hindi
2009 Chandni Chowk to China “S.I.D.H.U., Chak Lein De” Himself Hindi
2009 Radio “Damadji Angana Hai Padhare” Himesh Reshammiya Hindi
2008 Abhiyum Naanum “Ore Oru Oarrilae” Vidyasagar Tamil
2008 Dasvidaniya All Songs Himself Hindi
2008 Wafa: A Deadly Love Story “Tu Hai Shola” Ravi Pawar, Sayed Ahmed Hindi
2008 Thodi Life Thoda Magic “Tune Kahi Aur Maine Maani” Hindi
2007 “Chnada Kane Chanda, Chanda” Kannada
2007 “Jana O Jana, Sajni” Kannada
2007 Preethi Yake Bhoomi Melidhe Kannada
2008 Kurukshetra “Chalo Chalo Jawan” Siddharth Vipin Malayalam
2008 Parugu “Yelageyalaga” Mani Sharma Telugu
2008 Dhaam Dhoom “Uyyaalalo Uyyaalalo” Harris Jayaraj Tamil
2008 Kathanayakudu “Ra Ra Ra Ramayanna” G.V. Prakash Kumar Telugu
2008 Kuselan “Perinba Pechukaran” Tamil
2008 Bheemaa “Rangu Rangamma” Harris Jayaraj Tamil
2007 Chirutha “Ososi Raakasi” Telugu
2008 1920 “Tujhe Main Pyaar Karu” Adnan Sami Hindi
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love “Ya Rabba” Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Hindi
2007 Bal Ganesha “Shiv Shankar Kaa Damroo Baje” Hindi
2007 Aaja Nachle “Show Me Your Jalwa” Salim–Sulaiman Hindi
2007 Dhaan Hindi
2007 “Humne Jeena Seekh Liya” Hindi
2007 Manorama Six Feet Under “Dhundla jo Samaa Bandh” Jayesh Gandhi, Raiomond Mirza Hindi
2007 Delhii Heights Rabbi Shergill Hindi
2007 1971 “Kaal Ke Antim Palon Tak”, “Sada Bhangra Paun Nu” Akash Sagar Hindi
2007 Traffic Signal Hindi
2007 Chirutha Telugu
2007 “Munna” Hindi
2007 Tumaku Paruni Ta Bhuli “Na Na Nare Jibana Dau Sadhena” Kailash kher Odia
2007 Bombay Times Hindi
2006 With Luv… Tumhaara Hindi
2006 Keerthi Chakra “Khuda Se Mannath” Joshua Sridhar Malayalam
2006 Krishna “Krishna Kaal” Bapi-Tutul, Rajendra Shiv Hindi
2006 Corporate “O Sikander” Shamir Tandon Hindi
2006 Khosla Ka Ghosla “Chak De Phattey!” Dhruv Dhalla Hindi
2006 Veyil “Veyilodu Velaiyadi” G.V. Prakash Kumar Tamil
2006 Sajni “Jaana O Jaana” A.R. Rahman Kannada
2006 Naksha “Shake It” Pritam Hindi
2006 Aap Ki Khatir “Meethi Meethi Batan” Himesh Reshammiya Hindi
2006 Alag “Apun kee Toli Bindaasht Boli” Aadesh Shrivastava Hindi
2006 Fanaa “Chand Sifarish” Jatin–Lalit Hindi
2006 Zinda “Chal Rahi Hai Saasein” Vishal–Shekhar Hindi
2005 Majaa “Podhumadaa Saami” Vidyasagar Tamil
2005 Anjaan Hindi
2005 Dosti “Ishq Naa Ishq Ho” Nadeem-Shravan Hindi
2005 Ek Ajnabee “Barf Khushi Hai” Vishal–Shekhar Hindi
2005 Kyon Ki “Jhatka Maare” Himesh Reshammiya Hindi
2005 Hanuman “The Title song” Tapas Relia Hindi
2005 Chocolate “Jhuki Jhuki” Pritam Hindi
2005 Barsaat “Saajan Saajan Saajan” Nadeem-Shravan Hindi
2005 Mangal Pandey: The Rising “Mangal Mangal”, “Al Maddath Maula”, “Takey Takey” A.R. Rahman Hindi
2005 Sarkar “Govinda”, “Mujhe Jo Sahi Lagta Hai”, “Sam Dam Bhed”, “Shaher Shaher Ke Hazaar Sawal” Bapi-Tutul Hindi
2005 Silsiilay “Meri Chaandi Tu” Himesh Reshammiya Hindi
2005 Kaal “Aakhiyaan Teriya Ve” Salim–Sulaiman Hindi
2005 Waqt: The Race Against Time “Toot Gaya Dil” Anu Malik Hindi
2005 Tango Charlie “Akkad Te Bakkad Te” Anand Raj Anand, Anu Malik Hindi
2005 Classic Hindi
2005 Kisna: The Warrior Poet “Gaa Tu Aisi Dhun Mein Gaa” Ismail Darbar Hindi
2005 Vaada “Ud Ud Jaaye” Himesh Reshammiya Hindi
2004 Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo “Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo”, “Kurti Mal Mal Di” Anu Malik Hindi
2004 Swades “Yun Hi Chala Chal Raahi” A.R. Rahman Hindi
2004 Deewaar “Piya Bawri” Aadesh Shrivastav Hindi
2004 Dev “Rang Deeni” Hindi
2004 Khakee “Mere Maula” Ram Sampath Hindi
2003 Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II “Allah Ke Bande” Vishal–Shekhar Hindi
2003 Kilichundan Mambazham Malayalam
2003 Andaaz “Rabba Ishq Naa Hove” Nadeem-Shravan Hindi

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