Welcome to the full Episode 8 of Sustainability Karma, India’s first and only talk show on sustainability on All India Radio.

In this episode of Sustainability Karma, Ricky Kej, three times Grammy Award winner and UN Ambassador, talks about his much acclaimed rendition of the Indian national anthem in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in addition to his promotion of the environmental and social causes.

Recalling his other similar experiences, he says that, in 2015, he created a version of the national anthem dedicated to the forests and the wildlife of India for the climate change conference in Paris or COP 21. It was part of an album launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the then French President, Francois Hollande. The second version, he adds, was created in 2022 in his capacity of a Goodwill Ambassador with the UNHCR, where he collaborated with 12 refugee singers from four different countries like Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Cameroon, who are living in India and who have made India their new home, to sing the national anthem in order to celebrate 75 years of Independence.

Mr Kej says that his journey extends beyond using music’s emotional language in performances to advocate for environmental and social causes. Through both top-down and ground-up concerts, he adds, he has witnessed shifts in attitudes, especially among world leaders. Tracking their narratives and actions, he has observed the potential for music to influence policy changes.

Addressing the arts community, the Grammy award winner’s message is clear: Simplify complex issues through the emotional language of arts. While scientific data is essential, the arts community, especially musicians, must bridge the gap between awareness and action. Drawing parallels between the Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough approaches, he leans towards the latter, emphasising inspiration over shaming, he elaborates.

Mr Kej’s “My Earth” songs, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGSs) for children, have garnered widespread applause.  Thirty songs cover diverse topics like single-use plastics, carbon footprints, rhinoceros conservation, and innovation. Integrating positivity, energy, and education.  These songs aim to replace traditional nursery rhymes, instilling values that children remember into adulthood. The project has reached over 11 million textbooks in English across India, with plans for expansion into Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Odia. Reflecting on impactful experiences, he says, school principals have reported positive changes inspired by these songs. Children, influenced by the music, have led campaigns against single-use plastics and even influenced people’s decisions.

He emphasises on the transformative power of music in creating positive change and calls upon everyone to convert awareness into action.