By Lookout Staff

July 29, 2010 -- Never heard of Kailash Kher? You'd be in the minority if you were one of the 1.8 billion people living in India, where the revered singer is a household name.

On Thursday night Kailash, whose prodigious vocal gifts and inspiring personality have made him India's most popular singer, will take the stage at the third Twilight Dance Series Concert of the season on the Santa Monica Pier.

Brought up outside New Dehli, Kailash was influenced by he traditional folk songs his father sang, dumping a career in business to make it in Mumbai, home to the Bollywood film and music industry. He made a living singing jingles at about $100 a pop until every film and music producer in Mumbai took notice.

Kailash Kher rose from a humble upbringing outside of New Delhi to being appointed a judge for the 2008-09 season of Indian Idol is nothing less than 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.

By 2004, Kailash was a star, performing in some of Bollywood's biggest hits and recording songs on more than 60 soundtracks, while upping his number of jiggles to nearly 200.

After meeting the brothers Naresh and Paresh Kamath, they formed Kailash Kher’s Kailasa, blending Kailash’s strong traditional roots with the brothers' rock, electronic and funk influences.

Also taking the stage Thursday is GlobeSonic dj Fabian Alsultany, a first-generation American of Iraqi and Cuban descent who has spent his life bridging gaps. Dubbed by Billboard Magazine as the "World Music Impresario," Alsultany takes a global approach to music, interweaving cultures and genres.