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.
Mann Jogi Re
Kailash Kher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tapta Tha Ik Jogi,
Lagi Jo Surti Us Jogi Ki,
Khandit Kaise Hogi,
Usi Thadi Pe Hoor Pari,
Ek Ayi Tapdang Karne,
Naach Naach Ke Gaa Sharma Ke,
Aur Kehan Lagi,
Thari Chitti Chitti Chadar Ho Mat Maili Karlo Ji,
O Jogi, O Jogi, Mane Cheli karlo Ji,
O Jogi, O Jogi, Mane Cheli karlo Ji
Sare Hukam Bharungi, Sewa Karungi,
Paaon Dabaungi Ji,
O Jogi, O Jogi, Mane Cheli karlo Ji.
Ant Dha Ke, Rasamn Nibha Ke Utri,
Ganga Nahane,
Haad Maas ke Koyile Kar Diye,
Khaal dayi Rangwane,
Khaal dayi Rangwane,
Aye Ji Haanji, Thari Khoob Karungi Sewa,
Thari Sewa, Haan Humaoon Ji,
Maari Aan Rakho Pat'thewa,
Aji Thewa,
Ek Paaon Pe Dhuni Ramaungi,
Khadi Rahoon, Jap Tap Mein,
Surg Se Binsi Eeke Utri, Thara Dhyan Lapak Mein,
Phir Rattan Lagi,
Thari Chitti Chitti Chadar Ho Mat Maili Karlo Ji,
O Jogi, O Jogi, Mane Cheli karlo Ji,
O Jogi, O Jogi, Mane Cheli karlo Ji,
Sare Hukam Bharungi, Sewa Karungi,
Paaon Dabaungi Ji,
O Jogi, O Jogi, Mane Cheli karlo Ji,
Jaise Jaise Karoge, Jaise Kahoge,
Vaise Karugni Ji,
Oh Jogi, Oh Jogi,
Oh Jogi, Jogi, Jogi Jogi,
Oh Jogi, Jogi, Jogi Jogi,
Mane Cheli Karlo Ji.
The song "Mann Jogi Re" portrays the devotion and dedication of a yogi towards his deity. The lyrics beautifully describe the yogi's journey of seeking spirituality, his struggle, and the eventual achievement of enlightenment.
The first stanza talks about a yogi who was searching for spirituality by reading holy texts, and was meditating in the heat on the bare-ground. When he gained the attention of his deity, he became overwhelmed, and a fairy came to dance and sing in front of him.
In the second stanza, the yogi mentions how important it is for him to serve his deity, and how he has carried out all the rituals and cleansed his mind and body through the holy bath in the sacred river Ganges. He then expresses his desire to adorn his body with ashes and chants the name of the lord in the hope of achieving eternal union.
The last stanza is addressed to his deity where he pledges to follow every command of his lord and serve him with all his heart and soul. He says he will keep chanting the lord's name while sitting on one foot and will continue with endless devotion until he finds his way to his deity's paradise.
Overall, this song portrays the intense feeling of love and devotion towards the almighty, and how a yogi's life revolves around his devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Parh Ke Peeche, Dhero Neeche
He wandered around looking for knowledge and guidance.
Tapta Tha Ik Jogi
A yogi was meditating in the scorching heat.
Lagi Jo Surti Us Jogi Ki, Khandit Kaise Hogi
If someone feels a connection with that meditating yogi, how could they possibly go astray?
Usi Thadi Pe Hoor Pari, Ek Ayi Tapdang Karne
Seeing that yogi meditating, a heavenly creature came to test them.
Naach Naach Ke Gaa Sharma Ke, Chhe Lagi Jab Bharne
The creature danced and sang, trying to distract the yogi from their meditation.
Aur Kehan Lagi, Thari Chitti Chitti Chadar Ho Mat Maili Karlo Ji
And then the heavenly creature said, 'Don't let your white robe get dirty, O yogi.'
O Jogi, O Jogi, Mane Cheli karlo Ji
O yogi, let me serve you.
Sare Hukam Bharungi, Sewa Karungi, Paaon Dabaungi Ji
I will obey all your orders, I will serve you, I will even massage your feet.
Ant Dha Ke, Rasamn Nibha Ke Utri, Ganga Nahane
After completing a ritual, the yogi took a dip in the Ganges river.
Haad Maas ke Koyile Kar Diye, Khaal dayi Rangwane
He covered himself in the ashes of the cremated bodies and colored his skin.
Aye Ji Haanji, Thari Khoob Karungi Sewa, Thari Sewa, Haan Humaoon Ji, Maari Aan Rakho Pat'thewa, Aji Thewa
Yes, sir. I will serve you well. Let me be your loyal disciple.
Ek Paaon Pe Dhuni Ramaungi, Khadi Rahoon, Jap Tap Mein
I will stand by your side, meditating and chanting, with one foot on the fire.
Surg Se Binsi Eeke Utri, Thara Dhyan Lapak Mein, Phir Rattan Lagi
Then, as if descending from heaven, divine inspiration struck the yogi while meditating, and they became filled with enlightenment.
Jaise Jaise Karoge, Jaise Kahoge, Vaise Karugni Ji, Oh Jogi, Oh Jogi, Oh Jogi, Jogi, Jogi, Mane Cheli Karlo Ji.
I will do as you wish, in word and deed, O yogi. Let me serve you.
Contributed by Alexander T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sameer
Let me listen
Sameer
Best meaningful