January 26, 2025: Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej has been honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to music, particularly his work that blends sound with social consciousness. The announcement came just ahead of India’s 2025 Republic Day celebrations, marking a monumental moment in Kej’s career.
Ricky Kej expressed his immense joy and surprise at receiving the award, describing it as “a huge, huge shock.” While he has won multiple Grammy Awards, each recognizing a specific album or song, the Padma Shri honors his entire body of work over his career, making it even more special. “The Padma Shri is about my career as a whole, and that makes it extra special because it’s an award that has been awarded by my own nation,” he shared.
Kej also expressed profound gratitude towards his parents and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being an inspiration in his career. He mentioned that his focus on creating music with social and environmental causes was largely inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision, which influenced his artistic direction.
In addition to his Grammy Awards, which include his wins for Divine Tides (a collaboration with Stewart Copeland), Kej’s music continues to make waves globally, with his recent Grammy nomination for Break of Dawn. His unique fusion of music with social messages has made him a global icon in the music industry, and the Padma Shri is a powerful recognition of his impact.
The 2025 Padma Awards list includes a diverse group of honorees, such as the late legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha, ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, and renowned violinist Lakshminarayana Subramaniam. Kej’s addition to this esteemed group further cements his place as one of the leading figures in the global music scene.