At a jampacked music launch at the Raheja Classique club in Mumbai on Tuesday night, music director A R Rahman released the debut album of brilliant singer Kailash Kher. Entitled Kailasa, the album is actually also named after the band that Kher has formed in partnership with musician-composers Naresh and Paresh Kamath, both gifted guitarists and good backup singers.
Rehman, who had a busy night ahead for a film recording, was nevertheless graciously present at the release for half an hour, and did the honors.
Kher thanked "Bhagwan ke puttra (Son of God) Allah Rakkha Rehman" profusely for having graced the occasion, and Rehman, brief and pithy as usual, reminisced, "I am glad to be here for Kailash's album launch. I remember how I first heard of him. I had asked Mehboob, our lyricist, for a new voice that is earthy and strong, and he said, I have just the person for you. That voice can only be that of Kailash!' And he sent Kailash to meet me. The moment I heard him, I knew that here was a voice that was so wonderful, and which had its own unique space.... I want to say that Kailash Kher's voice has something that had been lacking a lot -- it had pure soul! Allah Ke Bande is one of my all time favorite songs," the genius composer said.
Singer Alka Yagnik too came in specially to congratulate Kailash. "I wanted to come over and congratulate you on your first album. I hope that it is extremely successful! God Bless!" she said to Kher. Later, she too, along with Rahman and Kailash, was mobbed by still photographers.
The band Kailasa performed four songs live, with Kher dedicating the first, Teri Diwani, to Rehman, the audience, and to those who support the fight against piracy.
Sony BMG India MD Sridhar said, "It is indeed a great day for us. In the past too, we have been responsible for launching some great talent, and today, we are proud to be associated with the debut album of Kailash Kher. Over the time we've spent working on this album together, I have not just been exposed to a wonderful talent, but also made a wonderful friend (in Kailash)."
The audience loved the live peformance, and going by audience reaction, Kailasa is bound to be a hit.