Kailash Kher

Kailash Kher (born 7 July 1973) is an Indian playback singer, live performer, and composer. His music infuses Indian folk and Sufi traditions with pop rock and spiritual influences. His most acclaimed songs are Teri Deewani, Saiyaan, Kaun Hain Voh, Jay Jaykara, Bam Lahiri, Yuh Hi Chala Chala, Ya Rabba and Allah Ke Bande. In 2017, he has received notable Padma Shri from the Government of India.

He has received two Filmfare Awards for playback singing in Hindi and Telugu. Since 2014, he promotes Indian folk culture through the Kailash Kher Academy (KKALA) and the reality series Bharat Ka Amrit Kalash, showcasing traditional music from across India.

Kher was born in Vinod Nagar, a village in the Mayur Vihar area of East Delhi, into a Kashmiri family; His father Mehar Singh Kher, was a traditional folk singer and his mother is Chandrakanta Mehar Singh Kher. Kher also spent a significant part of his childhood in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

Kher’s passion for music began in childhood. At 14, he left home to find a guru or institution for classical and folk music training, as pursuing his passion required isolation. To support himself, he taught students for ₹150 (~$1.7) per session, covering his living and educational expenses. Unable to find a suitable guru or institution, Kher continued his learning by listening to renowned masters of music.

Kher worked in a family friend’s Indian handicraft export business until it collapsed in 1999. Following this, he faced depression and attempted suicide. He then spent six months in Singapore and Thailand. After returning to New Delhi with his family, he completed his graduation from Delhi University via a correspondence programme.

In 2001, Kher moved to Mumbai to pursue singing, living in hostels and taking jobs in the advertising music industry to support himself. He was referred to Ram Sampath for a Nakshatra diamonds jingle, providing a decent start with ₹5,000 (~$57) earnings. He recorded jingles for various television and radio commercials, gaining recognition for his distinctive singing style with brands like Coca-Cola, Citibank, Pepsi, IPL and Honda Motorcycles.

In 2003, Kher's breakthrough came with song Rabba Ishq Na Hove from Andaaz after initial efforts in Bollywood. Allah Ke Bande from Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II (2003) significantly enhanced his popularity. He sang in Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005), in which he also had a cameo appearance, and recorded “O Sikander” for Corporate (2006).

In 2006, Kailash Kher released Teri Deewani on his debut album Kailasa, performed by his Sufi fusion band Kailasa. The song was acclaimed for its soulful expression of love and devotion, highlighted by Kher’s powerful vocals.