Indian conducts UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performance of ‘Jana Gana Mana’

London: Being an Indian, Grammy winner Ricky Kej claims that conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of the United Kingdom (RPO) for a performance of "Jana Gana Mana" was particularly meaningful because the national anthem has been the most "important piece of music" in his life.

Kej tweeted the video of the national anthem on Monday, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised. It was recorded at the renowned Abbey Road Studios in London with a 100-piece RPO orchestra.

Ahead of the collaboration, Kej said the first thought that came to his mind was how the times have changed as a man from a country that the British Empire ruled for over 200 years is now leading their “most in-demand” orchestra and performing “Jana Gana Mana”.

“At the back of my mind, it was going on that the British ruled us for over 200 years, so it was nice for an Indian conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, performing our Indian national anthem.

“They were very gracious, amazing, put in all their hard work into it, and created a beautiful version of our national anthem. I hope to gift this to every single Indian everywhere in the world,” the three-time Grammy winner said.

Kej, 42, said “Jana Gana Mana” was the first musical piece he had learned as a child.

“It is very special and close to my heart. It’s been the most important piece of music in my life – the first piece of music I learned even before nursery rhymes or lullabies.

“It’s absolutely in my blood. I’ve collaborated with symphony orchestras all over the world in my career. In fact, symphony orchestras have always been a very important part of my music,” he said.

The “Jana Gana Mana” rendition was recorded just in time for India’s 77th Independence Day and after Kej shared its video on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, he was lauded by the prime minister.

“Wonderful. It will certainly make every Indian proud,” PM Modi tweeted.

Kej, who was born in North Carolina in the US and moved to Bengaluru at the age of eight, said the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is his favourite.

“I thought, why not get my favourite symphony orchestra to actually record a version of our national anthem with me conducting them. So, I approached them, and we got a 100-piece orchestra, the biggest ever to record the Indian national anthem,” the musician said.

With PTI inputs