Conducting a British orchestra performing India’s national anthem was great: Ricky Kej

Grammy winner and environmentalist Ricky Kej has created an instrumental version of the national anthem, collaborating with the London-based Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Ricky says, “I have always wanted to record the national anthem with a large symphony orchestra in a good studio to have a definitive version. I have been constantly collaborating with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In fact, they played a pivotal role in my Grammy award-winning album Divine Tides. So, I thought, why not work with them on the anthem?”

The musician adds “I recorded it with 100 members of the orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London, an iconic establishment. It was a great experience to be an Indian conducting a British orchestra while they performed India’s national anthem.” However, this is not the first time that he has created a version of the national anthem. In 2015, he did a version dedicated to the nation’s forests and nature.

He explains, “That version is the one I play at all my concerts, concluding each performance with it. Last year, I created another rendition of the national anthem, which I sang alongside four refugees from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cameroon and Sri Lanka. Together, we sang the national anthem as a gesture of gratitude to India for providing them a new home.”