GES gig alert: Kailash Kher to perform in Hyderabad before Ivanka Trump's visit

Ahead of his performance in the city this Saturday, the Teri Deewani singer talks about his lowest period in life and rising up to inspire others
Kailash Kher
Kailash Kher

Hyderabad and singer Kailash Kher have a long connection that spans more than a decade. Teri Deewani, one of his first videos that catapulted him into national consciousness,  starts with a glimpse of the Charminar. “Hyderabad is a beautiful city. It is modern, yet retains its old-world charm,” says the pop singer in a chat before his visit to the city  this Saturday ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017. The Road to GES is a part of the run up to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad (November 28-30) which also has Ivanka Trump in the guest list. The 44-year-old Allah Ke Bande singer spoke to us about his love for the city, successfully battling the lowest phase of his life and dealing with online trolls. The singer also broke into his hit songs like Bam Lahiri and Jejamma from Arundhati, more recently, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’s Jay Jaykara in a telephonic interview, which had us pleasantly surprised.

The <em>Tauba Tauba</em> singer on stage
The Tauba Tauba singer on stage

Excerpts:

What does the city, which gave you the take-off mean to you?
In 2005, when we first came to Hyderabad to shoot the video of our song, Teri Deewani, we enjoyed the city’s vibes and luckily nobody recognised us back then. Now, it’s different. So in a way, it all started here. It is always a delight to come back to Hyderabad which is a hub of art and culture, a vibrant cosmopolitan melting pot. Hyderabad is known for its warm hospitality apart from its lip-smacking Biryani. Each time my band Kailasa performs here, I grow even more fond of the city.

You started 12 years ago and have seen highs and lows in life. You also overcame one of the darkest times of your life and went on to win the Padma Shri in 2017. What has your lowest phase taught you?  
Now I look at life as a miracle. I have seen the toughest of the times and the darkest of phases. My childhood was a difficult one, but I found music and music found me! In 2013, I shifted to Mumbai from Delhi and in a year, my life moved ahead, almost like a rocket. My music got me overwhelming response, respect and encouragement. I realised I have fans across the globe. When tough times come, we might lose hope, but the trick is to be positive. I was once so depressed that I decided to put an end to my life by jumping into a river. Fortunately, my friend saved me. If my friend didn’t stop me that day, today’s Kailash Kher wouldn’t have existed. And that’s why I tell all those who are going through tough times, please never lose hope. Believe in the supreme. Also, I believe that youngsters must channelise their energies rightly.
 

Kailash Kher with his band, Kailasa
Kailash Kher with his band, Kailasa


We hear that you have sang in almost 25 languages!
You won’t believe if I tell you that I record at least three Telugu songs every month. In fact, I think I sing more for South Indian films than for Bollywood (laughs). Some of my most peppy and profound songs are in Telugu or Tamil.

A majority of your fans are the millennials. What do you want to tell the them through your music?
I want to tell them that they have the power to change the world. We are in the land of Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi and we should not just stop at celebrating them, but go one step ahead to get inspired and imbibe the spirit to make a difference to the country.

Many rockstars all over the world have strange rituals before going on stage. What’s yours?
I meditate before my show. I’ve been doing this for the last 12 years. If time permits with my flying schedule, I will stop by to eat some Biryani.

What can the audience expect in your upcoming concert this weekend?
They will get to hear my hits from Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion besides Jejamma from Arundhati along with my Hindi hits.
 
What do you do when you are free?
I sleep. I travelled so much in the last decade that good sleep seems like a luxury. I also write lyrics for my new songs whenever I feel inspired. Who knows, I could be inspired even now, while speaking to you. Maybe I will even write a song about it and you will never know!


paulami@newindianexpress.com
@Paulami309

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