Latest news with #Kej
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘Padma award validates all decisions I've made' says musician Ricky Kej
Among the Padma awardees gathered at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday evening to receive one of the country's highest civilian honours, was Bengaluru's own musician Ricky Kej who attended the ceremony with his mother on his arm. In a brief chat on a flight en route the USA, the three-time Grammy award winner shared the surreal joy of receiving the Padma Shri, saying, 'The award itself was announced on the eve of Republic Day this year and I was overjoyed, but it felt absolutely real only when I actually stepped into the Rashtrapati Bhavan.' Explaining the preparation that happens behind the scenes of what the nation sees on screen, he added, 'In the morning, a rehearsal was organised and it helped all of us award winners to be less nervous – we practiced the entire event flow, and pathway to walk to the president. We also got to know a little bit about the history of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.' Despite this, Kej's nerves had not completely dissipated. 'When my name was called out, it was a complete blur,' he recalls. Because of being 'humbled by the entire event itself', Kej chose to make the walk barefoot. 'It is so amazing that the award goes to unsung heroes – people who are doing amazing work at the grassroots level, helping communities that have been historically left behind, and furthering the arts. It felt like I was in a temple and it was overwhelming as a spiritual moment. That is why I decided to walk barefoot and accept the award,' he explains, adding that despite his four Grammy nominations and three wins, the Padma Shri is the most special to him.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Grammy winner Ricky Kej receives Padma Shri, calls it "Validation For My Entire Career"
Grammy-winning music composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej was honored with a Padma Shri award in 2025 by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, for his significant contributions to the arts. Kej, a three-time Grammy Award winner and four-time nominee, expressed profound gratitude for the prestigious recognition from his home country. Padma Shri: A career long validation On receiving the Padma Shri, Ricky Kej articulated the unique significance of this award compared to his previous accolades. "I have won three Grammy Awards in the past and all the awards that I have won besides the Grammy have always been for a specific project. But to win the Padma Shri is like a validation for my entire career and whatever I have done so far. It feels really special to be awarded by my own country. There are no words to describe how special it feels…," he stated. Kej further highlighted that his music is not mainstream, emphasizing that he creates "music from the heart, and only when I feel like making." He appreciated that the Padma Awards are becoming "the people's Padma," focusing on grassroots impact and heartfelt artistry rather than just popularity or viral views. Global Recognition and Environmental Advocacy. Beyond his musical achievements, Ricky Kej has a strong international presence, having performed in over 35 countries, including at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Geneva. In October 2023, he was appointed as a UN "Goodwill Ambassador" (UNCCD) at the United Nations General Assembly by then-President, Csaba Körösi, underscoring his commitment to environmental advocacy. Overview of the 2025 Padma Awards The Padma Awards are among India's highest civilian honors, recognizing individuals for their outstanding work in various fields. In 2025, a total of 139 individuals were selected for the awards, including one pair who shared an award. The recipients included 7 Padma Vibhushan awardees, 19 Padma Bhushan recipients, and 113 individuals honored with the Padma Shri. Notably, thirteen of these awards were conferred posthumously. Among the posthumous Padma Vibhushan recipients were, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, the renowned Malayalam writer, who passed away at 91 on December 25, 2024, was recognized for his immense contributions to literature and education. His novel Naalukettu is considered a classic in Malayalam literature. Sharda Sinha, legendary folk singer from Bihar, celebrated for her Chhath festival songs, was also honored with the Padma Vibhushan. She passed away at 72 on November 5, 2024. Pankaj Udhas, the esteemed ghazal and playback singer, who died on February 26, 2024, at the age of 72, received the Padma Vibhushan for his indelible contributions to music. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"He opened the door for musicians like me": Ricky Kej hails A.R. Rahman for his contribution to music
Three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej praised music maestro AR Rahman and said that he has not only "personally given jobs to musicians in every genre" but also "built long lasting careers" for many. Taking to his Instagram handle, he posted a picture with Rahman and wrote, "Just wanted to put it out there. No one in my opinion has done more for new talent, singers, instrumentalists, ensembles and for the general music landscape as much as Mr. @arrahman has." Kej added that Rahman has given jobs to musicians "in every genre in India", "He has not only personally given jobs to musicians in every genre in India (contemporary, pop, folk, classical, western), but through his diverse compositions, he has made numerous musical styles thrive and built long lasting careers for many. He opened the door for musicians like me to have international audiences. It is sad that people attack him, just because he is a soft target. This really needs to stop." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Talking about Kej, he first won a Grammy in 2015 for Winds of Samsara in the Best New Age category and later for Divine Tides, with Stewart Copeland, in 2022. In 2023, he and Copeland were honoured again for Divine Tides. He has secured his fourth Grammy nomination for 'Break of Dawn' in 2025. In November last year, Kej, while speaking to ANI, described his album 'Break of Dawn' as his best work to date. Sharing what went into the making of the album, he said, "This album, 'Break of Dawn', I believe, is my best work to date... I'm thrilled with this Grammy nomination... This album was entirely created by me. I've always been a lifelong environmentalist. The environment has always been on my mind when it comes to my music and my daily life." "There is this very ancient Hindu and Buddhist philosophy that says the impurities of the environment are a direct reflection of the impurities of the mind... To purify the environment, we have to purify the mind first. I thought that I needed to concentrate a lot on mental wellness and mental health. And that is how this album was created. There are nine songs in the album. Every song is based on an ancient Indian raag. I've taken ancient Indian-rooted wellness music and created this album to combat the global burden of mental health," he added. AR Rahman opens up a new debate about Bollywood music Meanwhile, Rahman is all set to kickstart his 'Wonderment' tour. The maiden concert will take place on May 3 at DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai. The Mumbai premiere will mark the first stop of a worldwide tour that aims to captivate audiences worldwide, according to a press note. Rahman said , "With wonderment, our aim was to convey the aspect that every note, every rhythm, tells a story. I hope to merge tradition with innovation, bringing together the past and the future in a celebration of music. Mumbai's energy and spirit are unmatched, and it's a joy to bring this unique musical experience to the heart of the city." In February, Rahman wowed the audience in Chennai by joining global singer Ed Sheeran on stage during his Mathematics Tour concert.
