Overview

• Three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej was conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu on May 27 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Kej chose to receive the honour barefoot, likening the moment to a temple ritual and showing respect for grassroots artists.
• He touched Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet before the ceremony to acknowledge the prime minister’s influence on his career.
• The musician called the Padma Shri his most valuable award, saying it validates his entire career beyond project-specific accolades.
• Accompanied by his mother in a self-designed black dhoti and achkan, Kej pledged to intensify his music’s positive social impact.