Odisha: KISS students collaborate with Ricky Kej to create monumental version of National Anthem, enter Guinness Book of World Records

Bhubaneawar (Odisha) [India], August 10 (ANI): The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) students in Bhubaneswar achieved a milestone by collaborating with three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej to create a monumental version of the National Anthem.

13,944 KISS students set a new Guinness World Record for the largest music lesson, which will be officially released on the eve of Independence Day, August 14.

Guinness World Records officials announced the record-breaking feat on Sunday at a press conference held in New Delhi.

The National Anthem will feature Ricky Kej, who directed the music in collaboration with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The group performance also includes flute maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia, sarod maestros Aman and Ayaan Ali Khan, and santoor maestro Rahul Sharma, among many other renowned artists.

Expressing his happiness over this achievement, Dr Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KISS, stated that this is not just a proud moment for KISS but also for Odisha and India.

Ricky Kej, the celebrated Indian music composer and three-time Grammy Award winner, has set a new Guinness World Record with his latest rendition of the Indian National Anthem. This new version has captivated audiences worldwide and achieved a historic milestone in the realm of music.

The path to this achievement began with Kej’s collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of the United Kingdom. Premiered at Abbey Road Studios in London last year, this orchestral performance garnered significant acclaim and drew attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Reflecting on the journey, Kej noted, “Last year’s orchestral rendition was a pinnacle moment for me. Little did I know that it would spark a journey towards an even more profound musical interpretation of our National Anthem.”

This year, Kej sought to infuse deeper Indian cultural elements into the anthem. He expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming release in an interview with ANI, saying, “I am really excited that we are gonna be releasing a new version of the national anthem this Independence Day.”

Kej’s ambitious project involved collaborating with some of India’s most esteemed classical musicians, including Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Rakesh Chaurasia, Rahul Sharma, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, and Jayanthi Kumaresh. This collaboration has produced a rendition that combines traditional Indian music with the grandeur of a symphonic orchestra.

“We brought together the best classical musicians from both North and South India to create a beautiful interpretation of the national anthem,” Kej explained. His vision extended beyond musical innovation to creating a significant social impact. This led to a groundbreaking recording session at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.