I was born on 7th July 1973 in Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh. In a way, music is inherited. My father Mehr Singh Kher used to get pujas done in the village and used to sing bhajans in temples. Born in a Brahmin family, I have been watching Yagya, Havan, and worship lessons since childhood. My father used to sing bhajan kirtan in temples.
I learned music from him in my childhood. I had no idea what a film song used to be in those days because I had never heard a film song. Stayed in Gurukul in childhood. From the very beginning, I grew up in a spiritual environment. Studied through correspondence.
Sangeet Bharati was also a student of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya but I believe that music is something that no institute can teach you. Music comes from birth, you just have to know how to nurture it.
blessings of saints
A family friend Manjit Singh lived in Delhi. He had an export and import business. Started his business with him, which caused a lot of loss. In those days I also went into depression. Tired of life, wanted to commit suicide. After getting out of all this somehow, he went to Singapore and Thailand to earn money.
If he did not feel like it, he returned even in six months. This time went straight to Rishikesh. Here the company settled with the sages. There was a lot of singing going on. It would be a big deal to speak your mouth, but hearing my song, the biggest saint used to shudder.
Everyone is blessed that one day my star will rise. If someone praises your work, there is no better encouragement in the world than this. It was only with this enthusiasm that I moved to Mumbai.
Mumbai's first blow
This is exactly 20 years ago. From Rishikesh, I had left here the address of a sannyasa ashram located in Vile Parle. A Mahamandaleshwar Swami from Rishikesh had given this address, so I was in full confidence that if I got a place to set foot in Mumbai, then everything would happen.
Coming here and meeting Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishweshwar Anand, he brought my dreams to the ground of reality.
Speak-
There will be no arrangement to stay here. Now finding a place to live in Mumbai is no less a struggle. That too when you don't have much money in your pocket. Started living in a cheap lodge at Rs 50 per day. You can understand what Rs 50 means in the days of struggle, that too 20 years ago.
Ram gave the first break with the grace of Ram
Mumbai is a Mayanagari. Also because no one gets anything here without hard work and if you do not give up hard work, success is sure to come. I also worked hard day and night here. Visited a lot of sound studios. But you will not believe it is a matter of those days when no musician was ready to meet me.
But Lord Ram was pleased and I met musician Ram Sampath. He gave me my first break here to sing an ad song. The first earning was five thousand rupees. That was a huge amount for me. For the first time, the lines of worry on the face reduced a bit. The blessings of the parents started to bear fruit now. After this, the line of ad jingles was started.
'Allah Ke Bande' brought the first big fame
Slowly people started recognizing my voice in Mumbai. The thing is from the year 2003. Music composer Vishal Shekhar was composing music for the film 'Waisa Bhi Hota Hai'.
When Vishal's call came, I first understood that Vishal Bhardwaj has called. Well, we met Vishal Shekhar made me sing the song 'Allah Ke Bande'. The film did not work but this song alone made a household name.
After this, the song 'Yun Hi Chala Chal Ho' from 'Swades' or 'Mangal Mangal Ho' from 'Mangal Pandey' all helped me and the series went on. In both these films, virtuoso composer AR Rahman successfully experimented with my voice. Rehman Sahab's mother Karima Begum considered me her younger son. Whenever I went to her house, she used to cook food with her own hands.
First solo album Kailasa
Going back a little, if I want to share some things from my struggle days, then my first album was released by Sony Music Company in 2006, Kailasa. I made many music albums during my struggling days but at that time no music company wanted to release my album. And as soon as the songs became hits, these companies started calling me and giving them songs.
I featured in the video of the song as well and I believe that harmony between the melody and the visuals is very important in any music video.
Also Read: This film is trending on Netflix, leaving behind 'Bhool Bhulaiya 2' and RRR, South dominates the top 10Asian Games: India broke two records in shooting, Palak-Isha did wonders; Aishwarya-Swapnil-Akhil's trio also dominated
Indian shooters performed brilliantly on Friday (September 29) on the sixth day of the Asian Games. Women and male players together add four medals to India's account. Apart from this, two big records
Heavy T20 league in the country: Half of the world's cricketers are ready to leave the national contract to play the league - survey
The impact of franchise-based T20 leagues starting one after the other across the world is increasing on the players. International cricketers\' body FICA said in its latest survey that 49% of players
Health Ministry: Government will start a mega drive for voluntary blood donation, Center's big decision
The Union Health Ministry will launch a mega drive for voluntary blood donation from September 17 to October 1. The Central Government has taken this decision because of the National Voluntary Blood
IPL 2024: Mumbai's victory over Hyderabad changed the equation of playoff, know which team gets relief, and which gets loss?
The IPL 2024 season is now slowly reaching its final stage where all the teams are trying their best to reach the playoffs. The top two teams Kolkata Knight
SA vs AFG T20 World Cup: Dream broken, heart wounded; Rashid Khan said something brave even after the defeat
While Afghanistan missed out on creating history, South Africa has thrown off the tag of chokers by making it to the final. Afghanistan had to face defeat by 9 wickets in the first semi-final of the
Big blow to AAP leader Satyendar Jain, the court rejects bail plea in money laundering case
Minister in the Delhi government and Aam Aadmi Party leader Satyendar Jain has received a major setback from the Delhi court. The court has rejected his bail plea in the money laundering case. Today,
Supreme Court: Supreme Court said - the release of undertrial prisoners is a celebration of the Amrit Festival of freedom in the true sense
Supreme Court of India: The Supreme Court said, the release of prisoners who have been in jail for years would be the right way to celebrate the 75th year of India's independence (Amrit Mahotsav). The
OMG 2 Advance Booking Collection: 'Oh My God 2' sweats in front of 'Gadar 2', only so many tickets sold
OMG 2 Advance Booking Collection: On the occasion of Independence Day, there is going to be a huge competition at the box office this time. Both the films 'Gadar-2' and 'Oh My God-2' are releasing on
National Herald Case: Congress's 'Congress Satya BJP Jhoot' campaign starts today, 57 leaders will visit 57 cities
The Congress party will hold press conferences in 57 cities across the country between April 21 and 24. Congress media and publicity department chief Pawan Khera said on Sunday that the purpose behind
Asian games: PM Modi congratulated the Indian women's team on winning the gold medal, said- you allowed being proud
The Indian women's cricket team created history in Hangzhou on Monday. Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team won the gold medal by defeating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the women's cricket final of the Asian