From the songs of Sufi saints, Kailash Kher is now keen to explore the music of the wandering minstrels of Bengal. The singer is now working on a Bengali album, which will comprise music of the Bauls of Bengal.
“I don’t know the language well but understand it,” he says about his comprehension of Bengali. What interests him most is the similarity that Baul philosophy has with Sufi culture, which has influenced his singing greatly. “That is why I decided to do a Bengali album,” says Kher, who was in town on Friday to perform at a concert, Moksha.
The singer is in the process of writing the songs and will start composing in a few months’ time. “I have a number of Bengali friends who are musicians and I will have to take their help. I will approach them once I have written the songs,” he says.
The album will also have songs from other parts of eastern India. This is something the singer tries to maintain in all his albums. “The first had shades of north Indian music like Punjabi, UP, Himachali and others. The next album will have Rajasthani, Gujarati and Maharashtrian flavour,” says Kailash who has already recorded a song for his next album, called Joban chalke, with two band members, Naresh Kamath and Paresh Kamath.
“We did not know that Kailash would be liked and appreciated so much. So we decided to come out with the second album within four months. It will be released in another couple of months,” says Kher.
The album will also have songs from other parts of eastern India. This is something the singer tries to maintain in all his albums. “The first had shades of north Indian music like Punjabi, UP, Himachali and others. The next album will have Rajasthani, Gujarati and Maharashtrian flavour,” says Kailash who has already recorded a song for his next album, called Joban chalke, with two band members, Naresh Kamath and Paresh Kamath.
“We did not know that Kailash would be liked and appreciated so much. So we decided to come out with the second album within four months. It will be released in another couple of months,” says Kher.
What is keeping the singer busy these days is his international concert with Pearl Jam guitarist Eddie Vedder. “It will happen in March next year and a lot of work needs to be done. Both of us are very nervous as the concert is dedicated to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and we don’t want any flaws,” he says. Kher will be going to US in November for the final round of talks with Vedder.
The singer has recently completed recording for Shankar Ehsaan Loy in Salaam-e-Ishq and is excited about the song, Pyar hai aisa. “It is a slow, romantic track and I am sure it will be liked by all. I always like love songs. That is why Sufi songs appeal to me,” says Kailash.
“Even audiences like love songs. That is why Teri diwani was an instant hit. I worked a lot on the song because I understand what love means. Mujhe maloom hai pyar mein kya paagalpan hota hai because I have been through it,” he says.