‘I Was Failing In Everything’: Kailash Kher Recalls His Suicide Attempt In Rishikesh
Kailash Kher gave an interview to a news agency, during which he recounted how he once jumped into the river Ganga to end his life.
New Delhi: Kailash Kher is one of the most well-known composers, and his contributions to sufi-rock songs will always be unparalleled. Kailash discussed his past suicide attempt in a recent interview. Kailash said that he was in Rishikesh and that he was miserable since he was failing at everything in life.
The singer gave an interview to a news agency not too long ago, during which he recounted how he once jumped into the river Ganga to end his life.
Kailash Kher said that he had to go through a lot of hardship before he discovered his passion for music. He told news agency ANI, “I had done many odd jobs to survive. I was 20 or 21 when I started doing export business in Delhi. I used to send handicrafts to Germany. Unfortunately, all of a sudden that business collapsed. After facing several problems in business, I went to Rishikesh to become a ‘pandit’. However, I used to feel that I was a misfit there as my fellow mates were younger than me and my views never matched theirs. I was dejected as I was failing in everything..so one day I tried to commit suicide by jumping into the river Ganga.”
He said that he ate nothing and stayed in his room all the following day. “But a person at the Ghat jumped in the Ganga immediately and saved me. He asked, ‘Tairna nahin aata gaya kyu tha? (Why did you jump when you don’t know how to swim?)’ I replied, ‘Marne (to die)’… aur meri suicide ki baat jaane ke baad unhone mujhe tez ki tapli maari sar pe (after learning about my intentions of ending my life, he hit me hard on my head),” he added.
During that time of difficulty, he says he often questioned his own existence and sought God's guidance.
(Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the local mental health professional if you or someone you know is in need of help.)