Ricky Kej is set to make Kala Ghoda Arts Festival debut

Three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej is set to perform at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival for the first time. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror he says, “It is a huge honour to be part of one of the world’s most iconic cultural events.” The free-for-all-attendees-festival, touted to be Asia's largest multicultural arts festival, runs from January 31 to February 8, 2026 and marks 25 years of celebrating art in its many forms, which is something Ricky says he has long admired from afar.Although he has always been aware of the festival and its significance, Ricky admits timing has never been on his side. “Kala Ghoda usually begins in early February, which is when I’m attending the Grammy Awards,” he explains. With the Grammys traditionally held on the first Sunday of February, he has rarely been in Mumbai during the festival. “This year, it finally worked out, and that’s why this performance is so special for me.” Beyond the concert itself, Ricky is keen to immerse himself in the festival experience. “I'm looking forward to not only performing at the festival but immersing myself in the festival, in various art forms and getting inspired by artists of different disciplines from across verticals. My performance is going to be as the slogan of the Kala Ghoda festival says, ‘ahead of the curve’. We're going to have quite cutting-edge genres and forms of music, and the songs will be themed around my usual themes of sustainability and celebrating Indian culture. It will be presented in a very cutting-edge, modern format. I fully expect the entire audience to dance and sing along with us. And it's going to be a lot of fun and entertainment and yet the music, and the songs are going to give a lot to people to think about once the concert is over. It'll leave a lasting impression on everyone. I'm looking forward to this concert and it's going to be an absolutely spectacular audiovisual experience.”