Ricky Kej’s Rendition Of Indian National Anthem Breaks Record
MUMBAI (ANI) – In an unprecedented display of musical and national pride, Ricky Kej, the celebrated Indian music composer and three-time Grammy Award winner, has set a new Guinness World Record with his latest rendition of the Indian national anthem.
The path to this achievement began with Kej’s collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of the UK. Premiered at Abbey Road Studios in London last year, this orchestral performance garnered significant acclaim.
Kej noted, “Last year’s orchestral rendition was a pinnacle moment for me. Little did I know that it would spark a journey towards an even more profound musical interpretation of our national anthem.”
This year, Kej sought to infuse deeper Indian cultural elements into the anthem. He expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming release saying, “I am really excited that we are going to be releasing a new version of the national anthem this Independence Day.”
Kej’s ambitious project involved collaborating with some of India’s most esteemed classical musicians, including Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Rakesh Chaurasia, Rahul Sharma, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, and Jayanthi Kumaresh. This collaboration has produced a rendition that combines traditional Indian music with the grandeur of a symphonic orchestra.
“We brought together the best classical musicians from both North and South India to create a beautiful interpretation of the national anthem,” Kej explained. His vision extended beyond musical innovation to creating a significant social impact. This led to a groundbreaking recording session at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneswar.
In this session, 14,000 tribal children participated in what Guinness World Records has recognized as the largest singing lesson ever conducted. Kej described the experience, saying, “We organized 14,000 students for a music lesson, culminating in them singing four-part harmonies of the national anthem.” The logistical challenges of setting up a stadium as a recording studio with over 200 microphones were substantial, but Kej found the process deeply fulfilling.
The resulting anthem recording not only celebrates musical excellence but also embodies India’s rich cultural heritage. The accompanying video features the children forming a human map of India and the word ‘Bharat’, symbolizing the unity and diversity of the nation.
In addition to the historic recording, Kej has collaborated with VR filmmaker Sairam Sagiraju and developers Krishnaprasad Jagadish and Raksha Rao to create a virtual reality experience of the anthem, allowing viewers to engage with the recording process in an immersive way.
The anthem will be released by Universal Music India on the eve of India’s Independence Day across all major streaming platforms.
