For Cause & Effect

The singer was born and brought up in Meerut and left home at the age of 12 to learn Indian classical music. To make ends meet,he ventured into an export business but went bankrupt within a year. He then left for Rishikesh to be a priest but life finally turned around for him when he arrived in the tinsel town. Kher initially started with ad jingles and then formed his own band. The uniqueness of his voice soon spread via word of mouth and he was offered Allah ke bande . “I was not sure of my songs but I thought if I could make it big,it would be a miracle,” he says,adding,”I was born to brave all odds.”

He wishes that there were more institutes for learning classical music in the nation. He had no godfather in the industry and it is his talent alone that brought him success. “It is difficult to survive. I know that I will be able to handle success as long as it doesn’t stress me out and I don’t have to take pills to sleep,” he says.

Kher feels that his songs have become chartbusters because they appeal to a wide section of listeners. “Lovers feel that I sing for them; priests dedicate my songs to the Lord. With every tune,I aim to convey something worthwhile to my listeners,” he says. His band Kailasa is not confined to any particular genre of music. “Each form of music is a divine connection between the heart and the Almighty,” he says.

Despite his Bollywood hits,he prefers singing for albums. And his next album,Rangeele,is all set for a November release. “We also have music videos for each of the 12 songs,” he says. Kher,who recently lent his voice to Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption,plans to perform for the cause at Ralegan Siddhi. “I wish to thank Annaji through an inspirational concert by Kailasa,” he says.