Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 26 – Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, known for his globally acclaimed music that blends unique sound with social consciousness, was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. The announcement, made just a day before the 2025 Republic Day celebrations, marks a significant milestone in Kej’s career.
Ricky Kej expressed his immense joy at receiving the Padma Shri, calling it a “huge, huge shock” and a thrilling moment. “While I’ve won three Grammy Awards in the past, each one recognized a specific work, whether an album or a song. The Padma Shri, however, is about my entire career, which makes it extra special, especially because it’s an award from my own country. It feels incredible to receive such recognition,” he said.
Kej highlighted that the Padma Shri represents a holistic acknowledgment of his career, calling it a profound validation from his homeland. “I can’t describe how happy I am to be recognized for my entire career by our government and nation. This is the biggest honor I’ve ever received in my life,” he added.
The artist also expressed deep gratitude toward his parents and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being a source of inspiration in his career. “I’m very thankful to my parents… I also want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose vision of creating music focused on social and environmental causes greatly influenced my career,” Kej said.
Kej is among the 139 distinguished recipients of the Padma Awards for 2025, with the honor marking another achievement in his illustrious career. His previous accolades include three Grammy Awards, with his most recent recognition for Divine Tides, a collaboration with Stewart Copeland. Kej’s Grammy-winning albums, such as Winds of Samsara (2015) and Divine Tides (2022), have solidified his status as a global music icon. His recent Grammy nomination for Break of Dawn continues to create waves in the industry.
The Padma Awards, announced annually on Republic Day, honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions in various fields, including art, literature, medicine, science, and public service. The 2025 list of awardees also includes prominent figures such as the late folk singer Sharda Sinha, the late singer Pankaj Udhas, actor Anant Nag, and renowned violinist Lakshminarayana Subramaniam.