Plugging into Kher

Kailash Kher says that live performances inspire him to make music, and that he’ll always be rooted to Indian culture.

Kailash Kher along with band Kailasa held a two-hour unplugged concert on Thursday at the Nehru Centre in Worli. The classical/ folk-rock act comprising brothers Naresh and Paresh Kamath played popular songs such as

HT Image

Teri Deewani

and

Saiyyan

, and also rare numbers including

Meri Maa

and

Awara Rahi Gumshuda

from the 2008 film

Dasvidaniya.

The performance was the Mumbai leg of Kailasa’s unplugged tour in association with Fever 104 FM. The first edition of the tour was organised in Delhi last week.

Having also played live at venues outside the country the past year, the singer-composer now derives inspiration from the worldwide recognition he’s received. “It’s nice to see your music being appreciated the world over. These incidents turn into magical moments, which I reproduce in my music,” says Kher.

Earlier this year, Kher collaborated with musicians like Cheb Khaled and Cheng Lin of China for a musical group called Pangea. The multicultural band composed the song ‘Citizens Of The World’ to bring together their varied heritage. They also shot a music video at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.

Recently the band received an award for their 2009 album

Chaandan Mein

at the Global Indian Music Awards (GIMA). While the members certainly were humbled by the gesture, frontman Kher believes that more than the memento you’re presented, it’s the acknowledgement you receive among the fraternity that’s touching.

“It’s a large world, and ours is one of the biggest music industries. To be featured on it is a huge honour,” says Kher. Kher attributes the success of GIMA to the fact that producers, music directors and singers all came together on one platform to honour talent in the country. “There may be some amount of rivalry among these guilds otherwise, but when they unite for a cause they believe in, it’s sure to be a success,” he adds.