Kailash Kher needs no introduction. With numerous Bollywood songs and albums to his credit, the singer is among the most celebrated in the industry. On his recent visit to the city, he spoke to Bhopal Times about his views on today’s music and the special connection he has with Madhya Pradesh.
On coming to Bhopal, Kailash says, “Be it the scenic locations or its culture, this city has a special charm. Bhopal has a deep history and has managed to maintain and carry forward its charm. I am mesmerised with the people and their tehzeeb so much, that I always say ‘Raja Bhoj ki nagri me dil ke raja rehte hain’. In fact, I have performed several times at Ravindra Bhawan and performing there has always energised me.”The soft-spoken singer, who is smitten by the culturally- rich environment of the city, feels the need for a university dedicated to music. “Bhopal is a cultural hub. There are dedicated centres for cultural activities and the audience here has a rich understanding of culture. With changing times, the city has also grown in terms of opportunities and platforms. I see a lot of scope and talent from the city in terms of music, so an institution for music will give young talent a proper channel and training.”
Today, Bollywood music is criticised for its bold lyrics, but the singer says that it’s upto the audience to accept or reject what is being produced. “It’s not about the content, but about consumerism and marketing these days. One cannot assume that content is sub-standard. This kind of content has been produced since ages, but back then, marketing used to take place only for the best. Now, it’s entirely different. Today is the era of marketing strategies and filmy music is gaining more popularity. The music that is being appreciated and liked by the audience today, may or may not appeal after a year. At times, the music serves may or may not make sense, but the audience is smart enough to decide what they want to appreciate or reject,” says Kailash.
The signer accepts that today, there are a number of platforms for youngsters to showcase and explore their talent, but there is much need for proper guidance. “I have seen youngsters do well, but they need to know that shortcuts don’t lead to success. Music is a serious business and it should not be considered just another medium to earn, rather one to explore,” he says.Before taking leave, we asked him about the television show he is producing. “We have produced a serial called Baba Kedarnath. It’s a blend of mythology and reality, with eight songs and 12 episodes. Baba Kedarnath is the next project that we are going to release,” he signs off.