The recognition Indian classical music has won in the West is undeniable and how ‘Winds of Samsara’, Bengaluru-based Ricky Kej’s collaborated album, bagged the Best New Age Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards only attests to it.
New Indian Express writes:
And, the honour for the album that topped the billboard charts with its fluid, soothing and masterfully charted music has made Kochiite Keerthi Narayanan, the music arranger in it, a name to reckon with.
His tryst with ‘Winds of Samsara’ was not only one of extreme gratification but also a high in his career graph. “I am happy that the honour has arrived late because all the years in the industry has only made me a better musician,” says Keerthy Narayanan.
He also played the keyboard for the album, which was a concerted effort of 120 musicians from five continents.
“It is a matter of pride that in the west, they look up to Indian music. International artists are very curious to know about the scope of Indian music, including Carnatic. I am always passionate about new-age music because it gives you so much liberty. There is no set structure and technical limitation. It is so minimalist and simple,” says Keerthy.
And Ricky Kej has been lucky charm for him.
Read it all here.