Grammy-winning artist Ricky Kej, proud of his Indian heritage, expressed that leading the UK\’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) in performing \”Jana Gana Mana\” held immense significance for him, as the national anthem holds the utmost importance in his life. Kej recently unveiled a video of the anthem, beautifully rendered by a 100-piece RPO at the renowned Abbey Road Studios in London. The rendition garnered praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Kej shared that he contemplated the remarkable shift in times—a man from a nation ruled by the British Empire for more than two centuries was now directing their highly sought-after orchestra to perform the Indian anthem.
\”In the back of my mind, the realization was present that the British ruled us for over 200 years. Therefore, it was a meaningful experience for an Indian to lead the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in performing our Indian national anthem. Their dedication and remarkable effort produced a splendid version of our anthem. My aspiration is to present this gift to every single Indian across the globe,\” shared the three-time Grammy winner with PTI.
Kej, aged 42, revealed that \”Jana Gana Mana\” was the inaugural musical piece he learned as a child, thus holding a special place in his heart. He remarked, \”It\’s the most crucial musical piece in my life—the first melody I encountered even before nursery rhymes or lullabies. It\’s deeply ingrained in my being. Symphony orchestras have consistently played a vital role in my musical journey, and I\’ve collaborated with orchestras from around the world.\”
The rendition of \”Jana Gana Mana\” was aptly recorded in time for India\’s 77th Independence Day. Kej unveiled the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, which garnered recognition from Prime Minister Modi. He tweeted, \”Wonderful. It will certainly make every Indian proud.\”
Kej, who was born in North Carolina and relocated to Bengaluru at the age of eight, revealed his affinity for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
He elaborated, \”I thought, why not engage my favorite symphony orchestra to record a version of our national anthem with me conducting? So, I approached them, and we assembled a 100-piece orchestra—the largest ever—to record the Indian national anthem.\”
This endeavor stands as a testament to the profound unity of music and cultural heritage, encapsulating the richness of both Indian and global musical landscapes.