Whenever you consider musical duos which have rocked the Indian music trade, Kailash Kher and AR Rahman are in all probability not the primary pair that pops into your head—however they need to be. With Rahman’s futuristic compositions and Kailash Kher’s voice that feels prefer it was plucked straight from the earth, their collaborations have created among the most soul-stirring music to ever grace our ears. However what’s the true story behind their partnership? It’s not simply in regards to the notes and melodies; it’s about household, religion, and a non secular bond that goes manner past the studio.
In an unique candid chat with News18 Showsha, Kailash Kher laid naked the roots of his deep reference to the music maestro. “I’ve had a familial relationship with AR Rahman sir from the very starting, ever since my profession began,” Kher stated, sounding extra like a long-lost brother than a collaborator. “This bond has been there since 2004, a time after I didn’t even know which route I’d take as a result of I hadn’t come to grow to be a playback singer.”
Think about that—Kailash Kher, the voice behind ‘Teri Deewani,’ didn’t even plan on being a playback singer. Life had different plans, and as Kher put it, “Whenever you don’t include the intention to grow to be one thing, no matter occurs appears like a shock. However on the similar time, you’re being molded. These are your formative moments, really.” Kher’s profession might need been stuffed with surprises, however none had been as candy because the bond he shaped with Rahman and his household.
Kher’s relationship with Rahman wasn’t only a skilled one; it was, and stays, deeply private. “Circumstances are shaping you, your picture, and your future. Extra than simply singing for an individual, it’s about connecting with an individual, mingling with their household, and turning into part of that household,” Kher shared. And boy, did he join.
Recounting his early days with Rahman, Kher painted an image of a friendship that transcended music. “At the moment, I used to be very near Amma (AR Rahman’s mom) and your complete household,” Kher recalled with heat. “I used to be additionally very near Reihana Aapa (AR Reihana aka AR Rahman’s sister).” Kher wasn’t only a visitor on the Rahman family—he was household.
“Initially, that they had Hindu names, however later, round seven or eight years earlier than I met them, that they had embraced a unique custom and adjusted their names,” Kher shared, hinting on the non secular transformation throughout the Rahman household. This variation, nonetheless, solely strengthened the bond between Kher and the Rahmans. “My emotional reference to them was additionally rooted in the truth that we share the identical Sanatan (everlasting) beliefs, though that they had modified their spiritual practices. This deepened our bond, and Amma was very keen on me.”
In an period when music collaborations typically appear transactional, it’s refreshing to listen to a couple of partnership constructed on shared meals, late-night conversations, and non secular kinship. “At any time when I went for recording, I’d keep at their house. Within the early days, Rahman sir wasn’t too busy, and Amma would invite me over even with none recording, so I’d keep there for 15-20 days,” Kher reminisced. Are you able to think about? It’s just like the musical model of crashing at your greatest pal’s home simply because you’ll be able to’t get sufficient of their mother’s cooking.
However this wasn’t nearly scrumptious home-cooked meals and late-night jam classes. Their bond deepened additional as Kher grew to become part of Rahman’s non secular journey. “The bond shaped throughout these days—residing there, consuming their meals, being a part of their atmosphere—was very robust. Later, my reference to Rahman sir additionally prolonged to his non secular path as a result of his guru, who follows a unique spiritual follow, appreciated my music and my thought course of. Spirituality, regardless of the language or technique, has a manner of attracting everybody.”
And so, the connection between these two musical giants isn’t nearly creating hits like ‘Arziyan’ or contributing to soundtracks for movies like ‘Mimi’ and ‘Swades’. It’s a couple of shared journey, a melding of souls by music, religion, and friendship. Kher wrapped all of it up superbly, saying, “That’s why our bond deepened a lot that now, as musicians and artistic souls, we share a familial feeling that’s nonetheless very robust.”
And let’s not overlook that this bromance has its personal Hollywood chapter, too. “We’ve got even sung Tamil and Hollywood songs for Rahman sir, together with for a movie known as ‘{Couples} Retreat’. A few of the Tamil songs have grow to be tremendous hits, as I’ve heard,” Kher added, proving that their musical magic is aware of no borders.
So the subsequent time you hearken to a Rahman-Kher collaboration, know that you just’re not simply listening to a music. You’re eavesdropping on a dialog between household, sharing a meal with kindred spirits, and touching the very essence of what makes music such a robust, common language.
