Press Release
Ahead of Rajasthan Diwas, the three-time Grammy Award-winning Indian music composer, Ricky Kej rendered a captivating debut performance in Jaipur today. His spellbinding performance left the audience not only completely mesmerised but they also stood up to shake a leg.
The concert was organised by Rajasthan Forum in association with Jayshree Periwal Foundation, supported by Shree Cement under its CSR initiative. It was a complete package of audio-visual treat for the audience. Honorary Secretary of Rajasthan Forum, Apra Kuchhal, welcomed Ricky Kej on the stage and highlighted the objectives and achievements of Rajasthan Forum. Trustee of Jayshree Periwal Foundation, Aakriti Periwal talked about the vision as well as various initiatives of the foundation. The event began with the audio-visual of the Rajasthan Forum Anthem which has been conceptualised by Founder and Rajasthan Forum Member Sundeep Bhutoria and music provided by Padma Bhushan recipient Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. It showed the participation of its members.
Ricky Kej and his team sang songs on multifarious themes pertaining to environment, culture, tribal farming, preservation of wildlife, climate change and more. Among the high-voltage performances of songs were the popular numbers: One Song, Ganga, Kudrat, Longing, Kahe Sataye and Mere Des, Mere Gaon. He also sang popular Sufi songs Dama Dam Mast Kalandar, Jugni as well as Punjabi song Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha to which the audience danced. The highlight of the evening was the performance of Kesariya Balam. The evening began with Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt playing on Mohan Veena.
It is worth noting that Kej has performed at venues in over 35 countries including at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Geneva. He is also UN Goodwill Ambassador.
Also present on the occasion were Rajasthan Forum Members namely Padamshri Recepient Anwar Khan, Padma shri recipient Tilak Gitai, Padma Shri recipient Ali Mohammad and GaniMohammad Culturalist Sundeep Bhutoria; Cine Actress Ila Arun; Devotional Singer Manesha Agarwal, Dhrupad Singer Madhu Bhatt Tailang; Painter Vidysagar Upadhyay, theatre artist Ashok Rahi, Kathak Dancer Manjari Mahanjani, social entrepreneur Apra Kuchhal, Kathak Dancer Prerna Shrimali, sculpturist Ankit Patel, art promoter Sangeeta Juneja among others.
Lot of artists came from other different parts of Rajasthan to attend the show.