‘Padma Shri Is More Important Than Grammys’

‘I
felt
that
this,
the
entire
event,
was
like
my
temple.’
‘It
was
because
of
this
overwhelming
feeling
that
I
thought
I
should
accept
the
award
and
walk
up
on
the
stage
barefoot.’

Musician
and
three-time
Grammy
winner
Ricky
Gyan
Kej
was
honoured
with
the
Padma
Shri
on
May
27
for
his
contribution
to
music.
The
award
was
presented
by
President
Droupadi
Murmu
in
a
ceremony
at
Rashtrapati
Bhavan.

Dressed
in
a
traditional
black
outfit,
Kej
chose
to
go
barefoot
while
receiving
the
award.

“I
felt
a
sense
of
responsibility,
and
I
felt
that
this,
the
entire
event,
was
like
my
temple.
It
was
because
of
this
overwhelming
feeling
that
I
thought
I
should
accept
the
award
and
walk
up
on
the
stage
barefoot,”
Kej
said.

“I
believe
it
is
a
tradition
to
do
that.
A
lot
of
singers,
a
lot
of
musicians
feel
that
the
stage
is
their
holy
ground,
the
stage
is
their
temple.
That’s
the
reason
why,
when
they
perform
on
stage,
they
perform,
you
know,
we
many
times
perform
barefoot,”
he
added.

“I
have
won
three
Grammy
Awards
in
the
past.
And
all
the
awards
that
I’ve
won,
even
the
Grammy
Awards,
have
been
for
a
specific
project,
or
it’s
been
for
a
specific
song,
album,
or
something
like
that.
But
to
win
this
award
is
almost
like
a
validation
for
my
entire
career
and
everything
I’ve
done
in
music,
as
well
as
the
social
causes
that
I
have
highlighted
through
my
music,”
Kej
said.

“And
to
be
awarded
by
my
own
country,
and
by
the
highest
authorities
of
my
country,
that
is
absolutely
special.
There
are
no
words
to
describe
that.”

The
musician
shared
how
proud
his
mother
was
to
be
there.

“Oh,
my
mother
has
traveled
with
me
for
this
particular
occasion
because
she
didn’t
accompany
me
for
the
Grammy
awards
all
three
times.
But
this
time,
she
traveled
with
me
for
the
Padma
awards.
I
guess,
for
her,
this
was
more
important
than
the
Grammy
awards.
I
think
it
is
a
far
more
prestigious
award,
so
she’s
extremely
excited.
I’m
very
excited
but
I
guess
she’s
even
more
excited,”
he
said.