At the opening of the Jashn-e-Rekhta festival, renowned singer and composer Kailash Kher delivered an emotional and energetic performance, showcasing his deep connection with Delhi. His performance at the event, held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, was a celebration of the city, its people, and its rich culture.
Kailash Kher’s Special Tribute to Delhi
During his performance, Kailash Kher made a special connection with the audience by adding a heartfelt twist to his song Tauba Tauba. Changing the lyrics to ‘Mashallah Ve Meri Dilli Teri Surat’, Kher’s eyes sparkled as he sang the lines with obvious affection. For those who attended the event, it was clear that Kher’s bond with Delhi runs deep.
“I consider Delhi as my mother. I am from Delhi,” the 51-year-old singer shared, his voice filled with emotion. “I have had my share of struggles here—rejections, hardships, and even fasting. But after all that, the love I receive from the people makes me emotional at times.”
A City That Embraces You
Kailash Kher’s emotional words about Delhi were matched by his energetic performance, which got the audience on their feet. Known for his powerful voice and engaging stage presence, Kher and his band, Kailasa, took the audience on a musical journey. The crowd, typically more reserved, couldn’t resist moving to the rhythm of his music.
“Delhi has this unique spirit,” Kher said with a smile. “It doesn’t matter how formal or sophisticated people might appear, the essence of Delhi is warm and welcoming. Even though we finished our performance on time, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, asked for an encore, and that’s when the audience really got into the spirit of the show.”
He added with a laugh that the LG was “quite strict,” referring to him as “kadak” compared to others, which lightened the mood further. It was clear that Kher’s humor and warmth had a special effect on everyone present.
A Memorable Musical Experience
The evening was filled with soulful tracks from Kailasa’s popular albums. From Kaise Batayein to Teri Deewani and Bam Lahiri, Kher’s performance was a treat for fans of sufi-folk music. The audience was left in awe as Kher’s powerful voice and the band’s captivating tunes filled the stadium.
“We are all here to celebrate the beauty of our languages and heritage,” Kher shared with the audience. “Jashn-e-Rekhta has taken an important step in preserving our cultural legacy by focusing on our languages. It’s great to learn foreign languages, but not at the expense of forgetting our own.”
Kailash Kher’s Contribution to the Festival
This year, Kher and his band Kailasa became a part of the Jashn-e-Rekhta festival, an event dedicated to celebrating Urdu language and literature. The bond between music and literature has always been important to Kher, and he felt honored to be part of a festival that aims to keep traditions alive.
“Literature and music are deeply connected,” Kher said. “That’s why it was important for Kailasa to be a part of this celebration. Festivals like Jashn-e-Rekhta are not just about music or poetry—they are about preserving our heritage and passing it on to future generations.”
With his heartfelt performance, Kailash Kher left the audience with a sense of pride and nostalgia, celebrating both the beauty of music and the city of Delhi.
