Renowned singer and composer Padma Shri Kailash Kher is all set to surprise his fans with his latest devotional track, ‘Hey Kanha Hey Gopala,’ releasing on the eve of Krishna Janmashtami. But don’t expect just another routine release—this one’s wrapped in layers of spirituality, creativity, and a sprinkle of Kailash’s signature quirkiness.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the song, Kher takes us on a nostalgic journey: “Since childhood, we have been devoted to Lord Shiva and often sing for him. Two years ago, we had a Kailasa concert in Mathura. The environment there, the atmosphere, it created an image in my heart, especially given the religious practices I’ve seen in my family since childhood. The stories of Lord Krishna’s divine play, his teachings, and his lessons—all these things came together, inspiring me to describe his beauty in a song.”
But this track isn’t just about devotion—it’s about capturing the multifaceted nature of Lord Krishna. “Lord Shiva is a symbol of seriousness, while Lord Krishna represents playfulness, beauty, love, joy, and happiness. Even though he created the entire universe and played a pivotal role in events like the Mahabharata, people worship his child and adolescent forms in every household. We have described his beauty in this song,” Kher adds, diving deep into the dualities of divine symbolism.
And just when you think you’ve heard it all, Kher throws in a curveball about the accompanying music video. “Our music video concept is a surprise for all of you because we will be releasing it on the 26th, the evening before Janmashtami. The way we have portrayed Lord Krishna and our Radhika in this new form is something unique. Art, literature, and creative arts are all about the play of imagination. What our imagination has brought to life is something you will have to see for yourself,” he teases, leaving fans eagerly awaiting this visual treat.
But the conversation doesn’t end there. Kailash Kher, ever the philosopher, delves into the core of what devotion and spirituality mean to him. “All our gods symbolize a specific message or an inspirational saying. Lord Krishna symbolizes joy, love, happiness, delight, and dance. Along with these, the divine teaches us that we should always remain absorbed in our duties, stay immersed in them, and be detached from the results of our actions,” he explains, quoting, “‘Guru Ki Karni Guru Jaegaa, Chele Ki Karni Chela. Udd Jayega Hans Akela’. The teachings of Lord Krishna are endearing because they impart deep lessons on how we humans should live.”
Kher also opens up about his musical journey, reflecting on the early days of his career. “When my music career was beginning, around 2006, our first album was released. Before that, some film songs had already made my name known, which made the journey easier. But initially, the path was full of obstacles—there were many hardships, difficulties, and a lot of rejections. People were not very accepting of such words and ideas back then. However, once a song became a hit, people started taking risks, thinking, ‘Okay, we are ready to release your album.’”
And what about those iconic romantic hits? Kailash Kher reveals a little-known fact: “Whether it’s ‘Teri Deewani,’ ‘Saiyaan,’ ‘Chaand Sifarish,’ ‘Tauba Tauba,’ ‘Albeliya,’ or ‘Aaj Mere Piya Ghar Aavenge,’ all of Kailasa’s romantic songs have an element of devotion. True love is devotion. True love isn’t just about WhatsApp messages saying, ‘Long time no see’ and ‘Let’s catch up.’ It sometimes feels like asking for ketchup when you say ‘catch up,’ doesn’t it?”
In true Kailash Kher style, he wraps it up with a touch of humor and wisdom. “That kind of feeling and those heavy, sophisticated words might seem impressive, but the real feelings aren’t there. In our romantic songs, even in the songs of beauty and love, there was always an element of spirituality. Slowly, as people started accepting this, and we received so much love from around the world—it became overwhelming.”