Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej has teamed up with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi to create a powerful global musical tribute titled “Gandhi – Mantras of Compassion,” honouring the enduring legacy and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. Launched in July 2025, the album brings together more than 200 artistes from over 40 countries, blending compositions inspired by Gandhi’s teachings with melodies cherished by the leader himself.
Genesis of the collaboration
The collaboration was born from a deep mutual respect for Gandhiji’s ideals between Kej and Satyarthi. Their partnership began during a successful four-city concert tour in India in 2024, which raised funds for the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion—a nonprofit initiative advocating compassion as a foundation for justice, equality, and sustainability. Through these events and intimate discussions, Kej and Satyarthi discovered their shared commitment to Gandhian principles, inspiring them to embark on an album project that would transcend musical boundaries and geographical borders.
A global musical project
“Gandhi – Mantras of Compassion” is a new-age album featuring Kej, Satyarthi, Grammy and Brit Award-nominated cellist Tina Guo, Grammy winner Masa Takumi, and a diverse ensemble of musicians from across the globe. The album’s production involved 230 artistes, whose collective voices and talents celebrate Gandhi’s timeless messages of non-violence, peace, tolerance, and environmental consciousness. Carefully selected tracks include music beloved by Gandhi, along with original compositions reflecting his values and vision for humanity.
Enduring relevance and impact
The project’s core message is that Gandhi’s teachings remain “universal and timeless,” as Satyarthi emphasised. “Gandhi will continue to guide us beyond geography, and through the ages,” he reflected. Both Kej and Satyarthi see the album as a humble offering to keep Gandhi’s flame alive for future generations. They stress that music, like Gandhi’s message, has the ability to foster empathy and unity, providing hope in a world in search of healing and harmony.
Notably, Ricky Kej’s connection to Gandhiji is also personal. His grandfather, Jankidas Mehra, was given the Indian national flag by Gandhi before hoisting it on foreign soil in 1946—a historic moment commemorated at the Gandhi National Museum in New Delhi.
The launch of “Gandhi – Mantras of Compassion” stands as a remarkable example of how art can serve social causes and fortify the global pursuit of peace and compassion, making a resonant contribution to the ongoing remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi.
