Kailash Kher: "I Never Compromise With My Style"

Key Highlights:

• Stays true to his sound: Kailash Kher said he and his team have always created music their own way, without compromising emotions, words or composition.
• Rejects trend-chasing: He pointed out the industry often pushes artists toward quick, catchy hook lines, but said this isn't an approach he follows.
• Kailasa Records follows same philosophy: Kailash said his label prioritises the craft and emotional value of words over market trends.
• Reflects on unchanging human emotions: Drawing on nature — the moon, sun, air and water — he said emotions remain constant even as the world and human thinking evolve.
• New track 'Tham Jaa': The comments came while discussing his latest song release.

Mumbai: Singer Kailash Kher has opened up about his approach to music and why he has never felt the need to chase changing market trends.

A Voice Built On Two Decades Of Not Following Trends

Kailash Kher's own career is the strongest evidence for his philosophy. Since his 2003 Bollywood debut with "Waisa Bhi Hota Hai," the singer has gone on to lend his voice to over 1,500 songs across more than 20 languages, delivering some of Hindi cinema's most enduring tracks — "Allah Ke Bande" (Waisa Bhi Hota Hai), "Teri Deewani" and "Saiyaan" with his band Kailasa, "Chand Sifarish" (Fanaa), and "O Sikander" (Corporate), among others. His work has earned him two Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, and in 2017, he was conferred the Padma Shri — India's fourth-highest civilian honour — for his contribution to music. Formed in 2005, Kailasa has performed over 1,500 concerts worldwide, built entirely around the folk-Sufi, emotion-first sound Kailash describes staying true to.

Talking about his latest track, "Tham Jaa," the singer emphasized the importance of staying authentic to one's emotions, lyrics, and musical identity. Kailash told IANS that since entering the music industry, he and his team have always focused on creating music in their own way, without compromising their emotions, words, compositions, or signature sound. He noted that while the industry often encourages artists to follow what is currently working in the market, he chooses not to be guided by such trends.

"What happens is that, since we have come into the industry, in the music industry, we make our own emotions, our own words, our own composition, our own style of sound, and never compromise with it," Kailash said.

On Resisting The "Quick Hook Line" Trend

He further pointed out how musical trends and audience preferences keep changing, with artists often being encouraged to quickly come up with catchy hook lines. However, Kailash said that this is not the approach he follows. "Now quickly make a hook line. We don't do that at all," he added.

Kailasa Records And The Craft Of Words

Speaking about Kailasa Records, Kailash said the platform follows the same creative philosophy. "In the same tradition, now we have brought from Kailash Kher, on Kailasa Records... the importance of words should be there, the importance of emotions should be there, the value of each word's craft should be there, which touches the hearts."

"No Matter How Much The World Changes, Emotions Never Change"

The "Teri Deewani" singer also reflected on how the world may continue to evolve, but human emotions remain unchanged. Drawing a comparison with nature, he noted that the moon, sun, earth, air and water have remained the same despite the many changes around us.

"No matter how much the world changes, emotions never change," he said, adding that people should remain conscious and grounded despite the rapid changes taking place around them.

"No matter how much the world changes, emotions never change. The moon, the sun, the earth, the air and the water have not changed. What has changed is our intelligence, our scholars and the way people think, and that has brought its own set of problems. Those who consider themselves very intelligent have perhaps become a little hopeless."

Kailash went on to add, "But the moon hasn't changed, the sun hasn't changed, the air hasn't changed, and the water hasn't changed. Even the oxygen is still flowing just as it always has—you still don't see people walking around carrying oxygen cylinders. So, it feels good to remain aware, grounded, and conscious even today."

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