Kailash Kher is famed for his earthy voice, especially when it comes to Sufi, folk and fusion melodies. As part of mentoring (which he calls motivating) the band Sreekant’s SurFira, who are all set to perform at the NCPA tomorrow, one tip he gave them was to stay true to themselves and not leave their passion. The singer talks about why every year he has been launching new musicians whom Bollywood does not support.
About Mentoring The Band
Kailash tells us that Sreekant’s SurFira is the amalgamation of different kinds of Indian music — especially Sufi, Ghazal, classical and some Bollywood elements. He adds that he didn’t have to mentor them. “I only motivated and encouraged them, bringing them to a point where the only weakness they have is their melody, as the world is slowly drifting into mechanism,” he says. The musicians’ set list for the show includes their originals, Teri Hai Yaadein, Sharmilee, Aao Aao Krishna, Taraana and so on, along with covers such as Aaoge Jab (Jab We Met), Ranjish Hi Sahi (Mehdi Hasan), Hoshwalon Ko (Sarfarosh), and more.
Contemporising Traditional Musicians
Since Sufi and Ghazal are traditional forms of music, in spite of contemporising them, Kailash ensures the essence stays intact. “When you say traditional music, then it remains that way. It is not on us to change the form of music in anyway. It’s just how we incorporate different vocals and tune to it,” he explains. As for Sreekant’s SurFira, the advice that Kailash gave them from his own experience in the industry was, “Whatever you become and wherever you reach in life, never leave your roots and humility. Stay true to yourself and never leave your passion,” says the Teri Deewani hitmaker.
Launching New Talent
Each year on his birthday, which is on July 7, Kailash launches new talents or musicians. Just like Sreekant’s SurFira whom he launched in 2017, it will be ARDivine and Sparsh this year. “It is an opportunity for me to give back to the world of music,” he says, “It is a celebration of what has made what I am today. I thought we must nurture music and art to save humanity and passion. Over time, the depth of creativity has been at an alarming stage. I felt the best way I could contribute to saving music and its purity was to create and promote musicians who have the passion but no backing from Bollywood,” he adds.
Upcoming Projects
Among the singer’s many upcoming works is a single, Tham Ja, with his band Kailasa. Noor-E-Khuda in Poster Boys (2017) was one of the last film songs that Kailash was heard in. He explains that’s because he needs time to strike a balance between his various projects and recordings. “As of now, songs on Robot 2 and Paltan have already been recorded,” he informs us.
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 "Kailash Kher")
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