In a conversation with SAKSHI PRIYA, Padma Shri KAILASH KHER opened up about his incredible journey, the lessons he's learned and his perspective on music and life. Here’s what he had to say when asked about advice for his younger self, future collaborations and his message for the next generation of musicians.
"जो टूट कर बना, जिसे मौत ने जाना, वो क्या टूटे, वो और क्या मारे”
(What was broken and revived, what death tried to take away, how could it be broken again?)
These words capture Kailash Kher's journey of hardship, healing and hope. Despite dark times, His music remains a soulful conversation of resilience. He is not just a singer but a storyteller, with every note reflecting his heart.
How did you feel when you first found out that you were going to receive the Padma Shri award? Who was the first person you told about it?
We first learned about it in December 2016, but the entire process took about 2-3 months, and by April 2017, it was officially confirmed. So, when we first got to know about it, I told my sister because by then, my parents had become Brahmins. It was a moment of joy because, in Delhi, we had suffered a lot. We left our homes, lived like orphans, and went through many different experiences.
We saw the world changing, relationships changing, and people's attitudes changing, all of these shifts happened at a young age. So, Delhi both improved and deteriorated and in the same city, we were welcomed by the whole of India. This, in itself, was something very special.
These experiences are also unique, but in the same city where there was once so much hopelessness, when the vision of God appears and success begins, just observe how the elders welcomed you and showed respect. This is the feeling I experienced.
You mentioned that your journey began at a young age. So how was your first experience when you performed live?
From a young age, I was always interested in singing, even as a child of 4-5 years old. I became a point of curiosity for people because I didn’t sing the popular, conventional songs. I didn’t sing filmi songs, ghazals, bhajans, or qawwali. Yes, in the beginning, as a child, I used to become the center of attention when I sang. Everyone would wonder, what does this child sing, and how does he sing? Because I didn't sing the typical songs, no films, ghazals, or bhajans. I didn’t sing what was already existing.
Whatever I sang was unique. And even when some perceptive people asked me, "What do you sing? There was a great saint at the time who used to say, "My child sings from his heart and the song rises from his heart, touches people’s hearts." These were the things we used to hear. Later, when God took our journey to a commercial and professional level, journalists like you, and people from the media, who represent society, told us that this kind of singing had a lot of spirituality. They identified it as something spiritual, calling it Sufi, or Nirguni, and from there we named it Kailasa.
Can you share a memorable fan moment where you realised the impact your music had on people?
There have been many such moments, but one that stands out was in Kota, Rajasthan. A girl came to one of my shows with a blade, saying she would harm herself if she wasn’t allowed to meet me. She was an ardent devotee, and my music meant more to her than just entertainment, it had a deeper connection. She was so passionate about meeting me that I immediately asked my security to bring her to me. When I found out she had a blade, I asked her to drop it, which she did. It’s moments like these that remind me of the profound emotional impact music can have and it’s crucial to help balance those intense emotions.
How do singing for TV, your own album and Bollywood Differ ?
Each audience is different, with their own mentality. Film audiences are generally not as deep in thought; they are satisfied with light entertainment. On the other hand, non-film music has a much deeper sphere, with different desires and emotions. As for serials, they don’t fall strictly into either category, they’re somewhere in between. We call it the "middle path." Each platform has its own unique thought process, frequency, and bandwidth, catering to different kinds of listeners.
Who do you think would be the right person to portray your entire journey, from childhood to the present, in a film?
I don't look at it from that perspective and that’s why I never have. Most people aren’t fully honest in their work. In creativity, too, many people repeat the same things in the name of “new.” They claim to be creating something very unique, but it’s already been done , with the same guitar, with the same ideas. Everyone’s life and story are unique, and to capture that uniqueness, you need a creator who’s equally different. It’s possible that someone who’s never done it before, or even if they have, can bring something fresh to it because they understand the nuances of art and craft. If they can get it right, then it will have that newness and originality.
Can you talk about being rejected and later approached after your song’s success?
Yes, when the song became a hit, the people who had initially rejected it, the ones who didn’t believe in it, came back asking for collaboration. They realised the potential of the song and that’s when they reached out. It was a bittersweet moment, but it reminded me of the importance of believing in my own work, even when others don’t see its worth initially.
Where do you think the audience connects most with your music, inside or outside India?
"See, even outside India, they call it India. This is their music, their art. When I sing in India, the people here know how to live life. They know how to be less sad. That’s why the audience in India, the people who sing our songs, are the best. Whether Indians live abroad or in India, they are full of life. Our audience everywhere is amazing but ‘bss Delhi mein thodi dhamal hoti hain.’
If you had to choose one song that defines your life, which one would it be and why?
It’s difficult to choose a single song because life is full of shifting emotions and evolving personalities. Our personality is the foundation, but we live through various emotions, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes introspective. Each of my songs reflects a different emotion or phase of life. For example, "Piya Ghar Aavenge" is a song about the anticipation of reunion, celebrating the joy of waiting. Waiting is something most people don’t celebrate, but this song shows how even anticipation can be beautiful. Then there’s "Teri Deewani," which captures the intensity of passion and obsession. It’s a song of profound emotion, of losing oneself in love. And "Saiyaan" speaks of surrender, of giving yourself entirely to a higher power, love or purpose. Each of these songs represents a different journey and that’s why I believe my life can’t be summarised by just one. My songs are like pieces of a mosaic, together expressing the complexity of life and emotions.
What message will you give to the younger generation who are coming into music?
I don’t give advice often because I believe when you give something valuable, it should be respected. Because when you give something that holds value, it is respected. If you give it for free, it is not. If someone truly wants it, they will take it. If they don’t want it, they won’t. When you give something valuable without ensuring it’s respected, it often feels left behind, unappreciated. That’s why I believe one should stay true to themselves, neither giving nor taking. If someone insists and asks me for advice, my advice would be this: “Never give advice to anyone. Neither give nor take. Just stay within yourself, and truly be true to yourself.”
Is there any particular story from your childhood that resonates with the storytelling format of the Mehar Rangat Festival?
Yes, there are many stories. My father’s presence and personality had a profound influence on me and my music. He was a Brahmin priest and a Karmakandi, and his way of life, rooted in spirituality and simplicity, shaped my thinking deeply. In my childhood, I often witnessed Satsangs at our home, where ordinary people from different walks of life gathered. They sang compositions by saints like Kabir, Raidas, Gorakhnath, and Guru Nanak Dev. These sessions weren’t just about music; they included riddles and spiritual discussions, which stirred deep emotions within me. Watching my father lead these moments filled with thought and devotion nudged me toward music, music that carries depth and conveys profound ideas simply. Even today, whenever I sing, I feel my father’s presence. His spirit lives on in my music. That’s why I believe in preserving and honoring the music of our roots. Today, we strive to give a platform to traditional artists, even if it’s just a five-minute performance. It’s essential to offer them that space, that glimpse, because they keep the essence of our heritage alive.
Is there any collaboration or project you have been wanting to do but haven’t had the chance yet?
I have no desires or plans. I am a man with no plan and I cherish that state of being. My only "want" is that I have no wants and my only "desire" is to have no desires. I believe life flows best when you’re not tied down by endless aspirations. Instead, I would advise others to focus on taking care of themselves first physically, mentally and spiritually, before chasing desires.
What one piece of advice to your younger self, the Kailash Kher just starting out, what would it be, and why?
I would say, "You have never slept for 12 years, nor eaten properly. How did you survive without eating and sleeping? Eat a little, sleep a little and embrace life fully. Be human." I lived like this, living many
lives within one birth.
