Kailash Kher’s spectacular journey from a humble upbringing to revered pop … Read Full Bio ↴Kailash Kher’s spectacular journey from a humble upbringing to revered pop star, Bollywood playback singer and television celebrity is nothing less then remarkable. It is also a testament to the strength and appeal of what is undeniably one of the most unique voices in Indian music today.

Born July 7, 1973 in Merut on the outskirts of Delhi, India to a family with Kashmiri roots, Kher moved to New Delhi as a young child. Kher’s father, a Hindu priest, was an amateur musician whose performances of traditional folk songs were a regular household event. Even as a four year old, Kher revealed a natural musical talent and he would often impress friends and family by belting out songs with his prematurely powerful voice. At the age of 14, Kher left home in search of a guru to further his musical training, and he embarked on years of classical and folk music study.

At first, his parents discouraged his dedication to music, and in deference to their wishes Kher tried his hand at the import/export business. Clearly, his passions lay elsewhere, as this endeavor proved a dismal failure. In 2001, Kher left New Delhi for Mumbai, the epicenter of India’s highly competitive music industry, to seek his fortunes as a professional singer. For a while, Kher struggled, living in cheap residence hotels and eking out whatever musical work he could find to make ends meet. Kher’s first recording was on an advertising jingle for a diamond company, for which he was paid the equivalent of $100.

Soon after recording a handful of jingles, the raw, earthy and soulful strength of his voice - often compared to the late qawwali maestro Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - caught the attention of every production house and film composer in Mumbai. His big break came with the song “Allah Ke Bande” from the movie Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II. The song became more famous then the film itself, and its success made him a household name. By 2004, Kher had been catapulted into the national spotlight, and has since performed on over one hundred and fifty Hindi film soundtracks, has sung in over fourteen languages on a number of regional Indian films, not to mention recording more than four hundred radio and television advertising jingles.

Though the Bollywood playback world has proven rewarding, Kher finds more personal satisfaction in the music he writes and records with Naresh and Paresh Kamath, brothers and prominent members of his band Kailasa. Fixtures on the Indian rock and pop scene, Naresh and Paresh were veterans of the popular band Bombay Black.

Combining Kher’s strong traditional folk sensibilities and lyrics invoking Sufi mysticism, with Naresh and Paresh’s more modern rock, electronic and funk influences, Kailash Kher & Kailasa released their first album, Kailasa, in 2006, which resulted in the smash hits “Teri Deewani” and “Tauba Tauba.” This was followed in 2007 by their second album Jhoomo Re, which was also a critical and commercial success.

In 2008, Kher was invited to become a judge on the television series Indian Idol, the local version of the successful singing competition. With his bubbly spirit and an infectious, expansive personality, Kher endeared himself to the Indian mainstream. It is impossible for Kher to walk the streets anywhere in India without his being besieged by adoring autograph seekers, and he has earned even further admiration for the openness with which he treats his fans.

In 2007, Kher participated in a concert tour in the US, Canada and the Caribbean entitled The Incredibles, a massive stage extravaganza that also starred fellow Bollywood singers Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam and Kunal Ganjawala. While the show allowed Kher to perform in front of huge audiences at major amphitheaters, it was his appearance with Kailasa at the January 2008 edition of GlobalFest at New York’s Webster Hall where Kher’s true artistry was on display. The group’s performance that evening electrified the audience, and proved to be the first step in launching Kher’s career as a global world music star.

Never ones to rest on their laurels, 2009 promises to be an entirely new adventure for Kailash Kher & Kailasa with the release of their first international album on the acclaimed independent record label Cumbancha. The album will feature new songs, re-recorded versions of their most appealing tracks and acoustic versions of enduring hits. The time has come for the world to discover a voice that millions of Indians already consider one of the greatest in music today.

Joban Chhalke
Kailash Kher Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

ban than ke gora kahan chali...

ho.o.o.o.o
ho.o.o.o.o

hmm... m...m
Bhara maare aise jor,
Moonh ki khavein sab chor,

Bijli si kadke ghanghor,
Bhittar bhittar barle bor,
Kaise, Chaloon main to tikhad tikhad ke

hO Joban chalke, Joban chalke
hO Joban chalke, Joban chalke

Bhara maare aise jor,
Moonh ki khavein sab chor,
Bijli si kadke ghanghor,
Bhittar bhittar barle bor,
Kaise, Chaloon main to tikhad tikhad ke

O Joban chalke, Joban chalke
O Joban chalke, Joban chalke

Ae Banthan wali mane kiye
ke Leri jhodi main
ke Leri jhodi main

Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

Bhaari-bhaari achraj paas pados karein itrane main
Bhaari-bhaari achraj paas pados karein itrane main
Are court Kacheri band pad gaye,
Bhaggi pad gayi thane main,
Are court Kacheri band pad gaye,
Bhaggi pad gayi thane main,

are.re.re.re.re

Uppar uppar ka hai shor,
Bhittar bhittar hain sab chor,
Saare ke saare moonh jor,
Baaton ka koi aur na chhor,
ji main nukute ye badar badar ke,

Ho... Joban chalke, Joban chalke
Ho... Joban chalke, Joban chalke

Ae Banthan wali mane kiye
ke Leri jhodi main
ke Leri jhodi main

Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

Chandan raat main peesan baithi kid-kid daant machaon jo,
Chandan raat main peesan baithi kid-kid daant machaon jo,
Nas-nas meri kas-kas jaave par bas dar-dar jaoon jo,
Nas-nas meri kas-kas jaave par bas dar-dar jaoon jo,

are.re.re.re.re

Kaise maare wo kilkor,
Mastave saavan ki dor,
Joban hai pavan chitchor,
Dhar-dhak ji main uthhe hillor,
sabka, dil jaave pighad pighad ke,

Ho... Joban chalke, Joban chalke
Ho... Joban chalke, Joban chalke

Ae Banthan wali mane kiye
ke Leri jholi main,
ke Leri jholi main
are ke Leri jholi main,
are tu Leri jholi main

Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

meri gora parayi,
meri gora parayi,
meri gora parayi,
meri gora...

Meri gorari parayi,
meri gora parayi,
meri gora parayi,
meri gora...

Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Ho.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

ban than ke gora kahan chali...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kailash Kher's song Joban Chhalke express the excitement and passion of a woman on her way to meet her lover. The lyrics invoke images of a young woman moving through the world with force and confidence, attracting attention and admiration from all those around her. The opening lines, "ban than ke gora kahan chali", suggest a woman who is dressed up and ready for the journey ahead. The repetition of "ho.o.o.o.o" adds to the urgency of the song and captures the energy of youth.

The next lines, "bhara maare aise jor, moonh ki khavein sab chor, bijli si kadke ghanghor," suggest a woman who is confident in her abilities to attract attention and exude sensuality. The use of metaphors, such as "bijli si kadke ghanghor", further heighten the intensity of the song, while also suggesting that the woman possesses a raw power that is capable of igniting passions.

The chorus, "Joban chalke, Joban chalke" repeats throughout the song and reinforces the idea of a young woman who is strong, confident and unafraid to take risks in the pursuit of love. The song celebrates youth, beauty and the desire to experience life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

ban than ke gora kahan chali...
The fair-skinned girl has gone away, clad in her traditional attire.

Bhara maare aise jor, Moonh ki khavein sab chor, Bijli si kadke ghanghor, Bhittar bhittar barle bor, Kaise, Chaloon main to tikhad tikhad ke
With such an intense force, my body quivers, words are stolen from my mouth, and thunder strikes like lightning. How can I even walk with such an intense shaking?

O Joban chalke, Joban chalke
Now, my youth is in full swing.

Ae Banthan wali mane kiye, ke Leri jhodi main
The lady with the traditional attire has agreed to marry me, and now we are paired together like two birds.

Bhaari-bhaari achraj paas pados karein itrane main, Are court Kacheri band pad gaye, Bhaggi pad gayi thane main
People from my neighborhood are amazed to see that I will be getting married soon, and the Court of Justice has been closed down because of our joyous celebrations.

Uppar uppar ka hai shor, Bhittar bhittar hain sab chor, Saare ke saare moonh jor, Baaton ka koi aur na chhor, ji main nukute ye badar badar ke,
There's a lot of noise above and below, and all the rogues have gathered around. Everybody is eagerly listening and nobody is interrupting. I'm speaking distinctively and precisely.

Chandan raat main peesan baithi kid-kid daant machaon jo, Nas-nas meri kas-kas jaave par bas dar-dar jaoon jo,
On a moonlit night, I sat and ground sandalwood, while every part of me quivered with fear.

Kaise maare wo kilkor, Mastave saavan ki dor, Joban hai pavan chitchor, Dhar-dhak ji main uthhe hillor, sabka, dil jaave pighad pighad ke,
Her anklets jingling, the breeze creates a pleasant vibe, and my youth is dancing happily within me. My heart is racing, and everyone is melting in desire and passion.

ke Leri jholi main, are tu Leri jholi main
My Beloved is enshrined in my heart.

meri gora parayi, meri gora parayi, meri gora parayi, meri gora...
The fair-skinned beauty is mine and yet a stranger to me.

Contributed by Amelia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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