Grammy winner Ricky Kej receives Padma Shri, calls it "Validation For My Entire Career"
Grammy-winning music composer and environmentalist
Ricky Kej
was honored with a Padma Shri award in 2025 by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, for his significant contributions to the arts.
Kej, a three-time Grammy Award winner and four-time nominee, expressed profound gratitude for the prestigious recognition from his home country.
Padma Shri: A career long validation
On receiving the Padma Shri, Ricky Kej articulated the unique significance of this award compared to his previous accolades. "I have won three Grammy Awards in the past and all the awards that I have won besides the Grammy have always been for a specific project.
But to win the Padma Shri is like a validation for my entire career and whatever I have done so far. It feels really special to be awarded by my own country. There are no words to describe how special it feels…," he stated.
Kej further highlighted that his music is not mainstream, emphasizing that he creates "music from the heart, and only when I feel like making." He appreciated that the Padma Awards are becoming "the people's Padma," focusing on grassroots impact and heartfelt artistry rather than just popularity or viral views.
Global Recognition and Environmental Advocacy.
Beyond his musical achievements, Ricky Kej has a strong international presence, having performed in over 35 countries, including at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Geneva. In October 2023, he was appointed as a UN "Goodwill Ambassador" (UNCCD) at the United Nations General Assembly by then-President, Csaba Körösi, underscoring his commitment to environmental advocacy.
Overview of the 2025 Padma Awards
The Padma Awards are among India's highest civilian honors, recognizing individuals for their outstanding work in various fields. In 2025, a total of 139 individuals were selected for the awards, including one pair who shared an award. The recipients included 7 Padma Vibhushan awardees, 19 Padma Bhushan recipients, and 113 individuals honored with the Padma Shri. Notably, thirteen of these awards were conferred posthumously.
Among the posthumous Padma Vibhushan recipients were, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, the renowned Malayalam writer, who passed away at 91 on December 25, 2024, was recognized for his immense contributions to literature and education. His novel Naalukettu is considered a classic in Malayalam literature.
Sharda Sinha, legendary folk singer from Bihar, celebrated for her Chhath festival songs, was also honored with the Padma Vibhushan. She passed away at 72 on November 5, 2024.
Pankaj Udhas, the esteemed ghazal and playback singer, who died on February 26, 2024, at the age of 72, received the Padma Vibhushan for his indelible contributions to music.
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