Composer Ricky Kej Turns to Music for Climate and Sustainability Advocacy

Grammy‑winning composer Ricky Kej spent more than a decade creating around 3,500 jingles for television and radio commercials across India and international markets. At a session titled “India 2035: Building a Self‑Reliant & Sustainable Future” during the Times Network Sustainability Conclave, Kej explained that the power of music to sell products made him ask why it could not also inspire environmental action. A pivotal moment came in 2015 when he won a Grammy for the album Winds of Samsara, after which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who encouraged him to focus his talent on climate and sustainability themes. Since that conversation, Kej has redirected his career toward composing music that promotes sustainability, using his platform at UN events and other conferences to advocate for environmental change.