Music from the Distant Valleys
- R. C. Ganjoo
Sunday Mail, New Delhi, October 1, 1994
Known as Malika-e-Ghazal, Kailash
Mehra's is a household name among Kashmiri families in India or abroad. Born
in Dogra, Naini Tal, in 1956, she received her education in Srinagar.
She earned fame singing Kashmiri ghazals and songs and
her recordings in Kashmiri, Urdu, Gujarati, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Hindi, Persian,
Bhaderwahi, Pahari and in Kannad languages have been appreciated by millions.
She did her post graduation in music from Panjab
University, Chandigarh, earning another master's degree in vocal music from
Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, in 1975. In 1979 she was appointed a lecturer
in music at the Women's College in Anantnag.
God has gifted her with a good voice. Her teacher,
Swarup Nath Sapru, noted her talents when she was in Std. III, studying in Devki
Arya Puri Pathshala, Srinagar. Shamboo Nath Sopori, her guru, gave her basic
training in music and later his son, Bhajan Sopori, guided her in Kashmiri light
music.
She passed her radio audition in Kashmiri and Urdu as a
student. Her songs in Kashmiri became famous.
Kailash participated in music competitions organised by
the state cultural academy. Her stage performances were organised in Patna,
Lucknow, Calcutta, Madras, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Delhi. She sung
in Kanad language on stage and her voice was liked by the audiences.
She took part in the fourth Festival of Music organised
by the Kashmiri Overseas Association of Britain in 1985. She also sung for the
film Aarnimall.
She was given the title, Malika-e-Ghazal in 1993 by the
Jammu Vikas Sanstha. The Sadiq memorial Committee awarded her the Mehboob Awami
Funkara in 1981 and she was chosen the best singer by the Sri Bhat Smarak Samiti
in 1980.
Kailash married Vijay Kumar Sadhu, a district fire
officer in 1980. It was love at first sight and she has high regard for her
mother-in-law who fully supports her musical inclinations.
"I did not face much difficulty in adjusting to a
Kashmiri family as I was brought
up in that environment." According to her,
language plays a vital role in cementing relations. "My husband speaks
Dogri very well and talks to my mother, Maya devi, in Dogri only. I picked up
Kashmiri language very fast," she said.
Her four sisters and two brothers are also gifted. Her
mother was a good singer but never performed on stage or radio. Her father, Dani
Ram Mehra, died when Kailash was in Std. V.
Kailash was unable to expose her talents because there
was no scope to do so in Jammu and Kashmir. Asked what she desired in her
younger days when she had earned a name for herself, she said: "I wanted to
make a mark so that people remember me after my death."
People have recorded her songs on their own as she has
not released any cassette of her Kashmiri songs.
After migrating from Kashmir valley in 1990, she felt
lost for two years. "But I was delighted when I used to listen to my songs
being played by people and talking about me in Jammu." She migrated to
jammu, leaving behind her property.
"The migration has affected the literary field.
Artistes have not yet come out of their shock." At present she teaches at
Jammu's MAM College for migrant students.
She said the present generation will be inclined
towards the scientific era rather than music. "Music was not being
taken seriously," she said, adding, "I have yet to spot a student who
could learn music with dedication."
Mostly singing Bhajan Sopori's compositions, she has
equal regard for Nasarullah, Mohammed Ashraf, Krishan Langoo, and A. K. Jalali,
big names in music composition. Her favourite Kashmiri singer is Shameema Dev,
wife of the Union Tourism Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Among the national singers,
jagjit Singh is her favourite. The list of poets who influenced her include
Rasool Mir, Rahim Sahib, Shamas Faqir, Dinanath Nadim and Motilal Saqi.
After her marriage she added her husband's name Sadhu.
"I was recognised as Kailash Mehra but my husband's role is equally
important in developing my personality and image after marriage. That is why I
put Sadhu after my name."
Kailash is blessed with two sons. "I don't suppose
they would do much in this field. Because artistes in this profession live and
die with name and fame, but no money."
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Title
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Matai chhus
be wuchhan chanai watas
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Kaelma
madan mariyo, poshan bu maal kariyo
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Dosai
wanai tos lagan, kahni karaan
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Tchoor
tcholhum yaa wani tchoor lo lo
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Dimyo
dilaas gandiyo walaas
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Hatai
waeys chhar naye log aeshk naaras
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Yem
chaaney zeajmei
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Madano
lolik aalav traavey baavye dilkee haal
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Arinee
rang gome
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Yaaro be
pheeras yaarbalan
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Amiyari
karnas bambray (with Vijay
Malla)
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Aakh asun
chanyan
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Shoke
chane gose dewanay
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Zinda
panas gach marunya
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Raze
hamsaye ghar chamye
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Hye ves
hel tane
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