Kamahl: A Legacy of Kindness, Resilience, and Breaking Barriers in Australian Entertainment
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At 91, Australian entertainment icon Kamahl is preparing to release what will likely be his final spoken word recording next year, prompting reflection on a remarkable seven-decade career built on a message of love and kindness – a journey marked by both adoration and prejudice. Despite facing racism and mockery throughout his life, the Sydney-based performer continues to resonate as an enduring household name, a testament to his talent and tenacity.
An Unconventional Path to Stardom
“I’m on an island of my own, so to speak. I don’t know anybody else who did or who does what I do,” Kamahl shared, encapsulating the unique nature of his career. From humble beginnings on the regional cabaret circuit to commanding the stage at the Sydney Opera House for Queen Elizabeth II, Kamahl’s journey has been as diverse as it has been impactful. He aspires to be remembered not merely as a performer, but as a communicator. “I always tried to find songs that explained what we feel for each other,” he explained, adding that his repertoire often explored themes of love, life, and the environment.
Kamahl cultivated a devoted fanbase through performances at regional clubs and numerous charity events.
From Kuala Lumpur to the Australian Stage
Born Kandiah Kamalesvaran in 1934 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (now Malaysia), to Sri Lankan parents, Kamahl’s early life was shaped by the tumultuous backdrop of the Japanese invasion. He vividly recalls a moment of unexpected kindness during a frightening encounter with a Japanese officer. “He put his hand to his hip. I thought he was going to take the sword out and take my head off. Instead, I saw something flash; it was a silver paper. It was chocolate, and he gave it to me. I took it and ran,” he recounted, a poignant reminder of the duality of human experience.
Raised in a strict household, Kamahl was sent to Australia at the age of 19 in 1953 to attend King’s College in Adelaide. He quickly demonstrated athletic prowess, excelling in both cricket – even earning praise from the legendary Don Bradman after bowling a hat trick and achieving 7 for 55 in his first season – and hockey, representing Australia against New Zealand. A lasting friendship blossomed with Bradman, sustained by a correspondence of 60 personal letters over 33 years.
However, Kamahl also experienced the sting of prejudice in 1950s Adelaide. He recalls instances where people would wipe their hands after shaking his, a subtle but painful indication of the racial biases prevalent at the time.
Finding His Voice and Breaking Down Doors
Inspired by the music of Nat King Cole and his song “Nature Boy,” Kamahl discovered the power of music to connect with audiences. “Miraculously, I think that the singing may have opened doors for me that wouldn’t have opened otherwise,” he said, recognizing the confidence and acceptance that came with performing.
Facing potential deportation while navigating a tenuous student visa, Kamahl pursued music, performing at talent quests and nightclubs. A pivotal encounter with media mogul Rupert Murdoch in 1958 proved transformative. Murdoch provided Kamahl with his first television appearance in 1959 and later a six-week residency at his Hotel Australia in Sydney in 1962. For two years, Kamahl lived with the Murdoch family, a testament to their early support. He released his first album in 1967 and achieved his first hit single, “The Sounds of Goodbye,” in 1969.
Often overlooked by mainstream radio, Kamahl demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit, devising innovative marketing strategies. In 1970, he famously partnered with British Petroleum to distribute his Christmas album, “Peace on Earth,” in service stations across Australia, a move that yielded over 120,000 units sold and a significant charitable donation. He even achieved international success, with “The Elephant Song” becoming a top-selling single in Sweden during the late 1970s.
A Complex Legacy: Triumph and Tribulation
Kamahl’s career included his own television series on ABC TV in 1971 and 1972, featuring international artists and the ABC orchestra. He performed over 30 concerts at the Sydney Opera House, always prioritizing visual presentation, famously wearing a gold kaftan for his debut performance. Throughout his career, he recorded approximately 350 songs and spoken word recordings, released around 35 albums internationally, and sold over 20 million albums, performing at venues like the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall – twice. He performed for Queen Elizabeth II on three separate occasions and even appeared in the 1970 Australian film Ned Kelly alongside Mick Jagger.
Despite his success, Kamahl faced persistent racism and mockery, particularly during appearances on the long-running Australian variety show Hey Hey It’s Saturday. While he often took the jokes in stride, he was deeply humiliated by an incident where he was struck in the face with a white powder puff just before his second Carnegie Hall concert. “It was a form of racism and that tall poppy thing. They couldn’t believe I was successful,” he explained. He acknowledged the historical context of “larrikin banter” in Australia but recognized the incident’s harmful impact.
Kamahl also recounted a deeply unsettling experience while filming Journey Out of Darkness in 1967, where he and his Aboriginal co-star were racially segregated from the rest of the cast and crew, forced to eat their meals separately.
Despite these challenges, Kamahl maintains a remarkably positive outlook. “While television tried to destroy me, television made me,” he stated, acknowledging the paradoxical role of media in his career.
He is currently working on his final spoken word recording, A Guide to Life.
“It’s been luck really, more than anything. At the same time, there have also been experiences of my life I wouldn’t wish upon anybody else, but put it all together, I wouldn’t want to change anything,” Kamahl reflected. “I’m glad I made it through some of the rough patches, and I’m still standing at 91 years old.” His enduring philosophy, he shared, is simple: “Love and be loved in return, that’s my philosophy in life. Make love your religion. Love life and love your fellow man. That’s all you can do.”
