Ricky Kej: Enthralled by music and surroundings
In addition to being the main attraction and performer at the ‘Dharitri Youth Conclave 2023 – Climate Change: The Path Ahead,’ which is scheduled to take place at the Rail Auditorium here on November 24, three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej will also be a renowned environmental speaker. Kej is an internationally recognized Indian environmentalist and composer of music. He has received more than 100 music prizes in 20 different countries and given performances at esteemed venues in over 30 countries. In addition, he has held positions as UNCCD Goodwill Ambassador, UNHCR High Profile Supporter, UNESCO MGIEP Global Ambassador for Kindness, UNICEF Celebrity Supporter, and Earth Day Network Ambassador.
Kej published “My Earth Songs,” a collection of 27 kid-friendly songs and music videos on sustainability and the environment, in 2018. With the intention of raising awareness and motivating the next generation to make a real difference in their own lives and the lives of those around them, each song is based on a Sustainable Development Goal from the UN.
Notably, Kej has made these tunes available to the public for wholly non-commercial uses. In an effort to increase public awareness of the problems associated with drought, desertification, and land degradation, Kej was also designated as a UNCCD Land Ambassador at the COP14. His extensive body of work includes eight feature films, 24 studio albums that have been distributed abroad, over 3,500 advertisements, and the natural history documentary “Wild Karnataka,” which Sir David Attenborough narrates. The United Nations Global Humanitarian Artist award is one of Ricky’s many honors. In addition, he received the title of Youth Icon of India. Ricky Kej was recognized as one of the 100 Real Leaders who “Inspire the Future” by Real Leaders, a signatory to the UN. Ricky received an award for “Outstanding Musical and Humanitarian Achievement” from the House of Commons in the Canadian Parliament. Since 2019, Ricky has aided UNHCR by mentoring and opening doors for refugees who want to be artists.
Ricky is a well-known musician and artist who travels the world sharing his music and message of tolerance and love. At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022, Ricky took home a Grammy for Best New Age record for his record “Divine Tides,” which he co-wrote with legendary rock and roll musician Stewart Copeland. In the Best Immersive Audio Album category at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, which were held in Los Angeles in February 2023, “Divine Tides” took home a second Grammy. He was honored with a Grammy in the Best New Age Album category for his album “Winds of Samsara” at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015.
