On Friday, Bengaluru-based musician Ricky Kej, a three-time Grammy award winner, revealed his new rendition of the National Anthem in the Karnataka capital. This innovative version, set to be released to the public on August 14, has earned a Guinness World Record for featuring nearly 14,000 students from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, according to a report by PTI.
The launch event was hosted at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, recently honoured as one of the top three World’s Best Hotel Brands for 2024 by Travel Leisure USA. Kej’s new anthem rendition brings together some of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, showcasing their exceptional talents.
The anthem features prominent artists such as bansuri maestros Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Rakesh Chaurasia, santoor virtuoso Rahul Sharma, nadaswaram performers Sheik Mahaboob Subhani and Kaleeshabi Mahaboob, as well as sarod masters Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. It also includes veena artist Jayanthi Kumaresh and leading Carnatic percussionist Giridhar Udupa.
Kej shared his thoughts with PTI, explaining his choice to include top-tier musicians in the project. “I was hoping that they would say yes and I am fortunate that they agreed to work with me. For me, it was very simple. I admire the music that they make and wanted to work with them,” he said.
The updated anthem reflects Kej’s passion for blending various musical genres and cultures. He expressed enthusiasm for projects that push boundaries and bring diverse sounds together, highlighting Bengaluru’s dynamic and evolving musical scene.
“If I was doing something that was expected of me, I would be making commercial music. I would be making Bollywood music, maybe. But since I am doing what I want to, most of my music is about the environment and about creating positive social impact,” Kej added.
He also emphasised music’s role in fostering unity and bridging differences. “Music is a beautiful way to bring people together. So that is what I try to do, not only to showcase important messages through music but also to bring forth collaborations,” he concluded.