Latest news with #RickyKej
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Ricky Kej Awarded Padma Shri, Shares Intriguing Protocols
Ricky Kej joins NDTV's Arun Singh for a powerful conversation about being conferred with the Padma Shri, collaborating with world leaders like PM Narendra Modi, and composing a stirring rendition of the Indian National Anthem. He opens up about the wild pivot from dentistry to global music, reveals the weirdest place he's ever recorded a sound, and even shows off his earrings that reflect his roots. Show Full
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 .
