This image was posted on Facebook by Ricky Kej
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and France President Francois Hollande launched Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej's new music album at the Paris climate change conference.
"Grammy winner Ricky Kej's new music album
Shanti Samsara - world music for environmental consciousness - was launched yesterday at the United Nations COP21 in Paris by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and France President Francois Hollande," said his wife and media manager Varsha Kej.
The album features Sanskrit verses voiced by Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, Hollywood actress Frances Fisher and BAFTA-winning actress Rosanna Arquette.
On his epic musical project, Ricky said that the album was conceptualised after his meeting with PM Modi in September. "A heartfelt thanks to him for helping me channelise my creativity and art towards making a difference and for giving me perspective on what the world needs - Environmental Consciousness," Ricky said. (Also Read:
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"It feels like I have been a musician just so that I could see this day. To see my music hopefully make a small difference in this world," he added.
He posted on Facebook:
"The album was released during International Solar Alliance (ISA) launch event and a video from the album was played for the gathering of world leaders," Varsha said.
"This album celebrates nature through different cultures around the world," she said, adding that the album features over 300 musicians from across the globe including seven Grammy winners, all coming together to create environmental consciousness.
"The album has country music legend Gary Nicholson, acclaimed Canadian singer Jennifer Gasoi and renowned Grammy-winning South African flutist Wouter Kellerman. The album also has Zulu verses by Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Rumi verses and Turkish verses," Varsha said. (Also Read:
Grammy Win Encouraged Me to Make Music on World Peace, Says Ricky Kej)
"It has folk music from Algeria, Senegal and India, chants by the monks of the Sherab Ling Monastery and melodies by the famous 'singing nun' Ani Choying Drolma. It also features celebrated Asian musicians from China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and the feted voices of India's own Shankar Mahadevan and Hariharan - all blending into the harmony for environmental consciousness," she added.
The album has been made in association with Vivekananda International Foundation and has 14 songs and four music videos.
Of the album, Ricky said the environment is a natural extension of the self and one cannot exist without the other and hence a drastic change in people's ways is the need of the hour.
"We must rekindle our inherent connection with Mother Earth by accepting responsibility for our actions. Let us heed our mother's call and consciously work together for a future that is bright and beautiful for everyone, especially children," he said.
Ricky has won a host of accolades including a Billboard Number One position, two ZMR awards (Zone Music Awards, USA), two SAMA awards (South African Music Awards) as well as a 2015 GIMA Award and Mirchi Music Award in India.