Bengaluru:Three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a huge influence on his life because he changed the course of his career and life.
Because, Kej added, Modi inspired him to make every music on environment and positive social impact, which he is passionate about.
“I had assumed that it would be a photo-op type meeting for 4-5 minutes, but it actually went on to become an hour-long discussion! It was a great experience. PM Modi inspired me during that meeting that every music I make is for what I am passionate about, which is the environment and positive social impact.
“He has been a huge influence on my life because he changed the course of my career and he changed the course of my life,” the music maestro said recalling his first meeting with PM Modi in Delhi.
Kej recently won his career’s third Grammy Award for ‘Divine Tides’ album.
Speaking to Modi Story, he further said: “When I had won my first Grammy Award in 2015, it was just after a year Prime Minister Modi had become the Prime Minister and on that international stage where over a billion people from all over the world were watching the Grammy Awards, I had actually given a shoutout when I mentioned during my acceptance speech a big thank you to him (PM Modi) and I said that he is doing such amazing work for India,” he said.
Kej said that he wanted to meet PM Modi and was delighted to receive a call from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding their meeting.
Recalling about their first meeting, Kej narrated, “I had assumed that it would be a photo-op type meeting for 4-5 minutes, but it actually went on to become an hour-long discussion! It was a great experience.”
Kej added that now he does not make any commercial or Bollywood music. He said, “The only kind of music that I make is about trying to make this world a better place and trying to showcase our beautiful heritage and culture of India. That’s what my life is all about now.”
Sharing more insights about their meeting, Kej remarked, “PM Modi realised that my passion is the environment and I realised that his huge passion is environment and nature and protecting and conserving all species.
“Honourable Prime Minister mentioned to me that he will be going to COP21 – Paris Climate Change Conference that was the biggest commerce of nations ever in the history of our planet. He also mentioned that he was going to launch a Solar Alliance which was something very-very close to my heart.”
While they were discussing about the COP21 conference, they came up with a suggestion that a music album shall be created on climate change and India’s perspective about climate change involving musicians, making it very inclusive, musicians from all over the world.
“So I ended up making this album called ‘Shanti Samsara’ which featured 500 musicians from 40 countries. PM Modi loved the album and he launched the album at Paris Climate Change Conference by gifting the album to then President of France Mr. Francois Hollande and then Secretary General of United Nations Mr. Ban Ki Moon,” Kej said.
