Ricky Kej renders harmonies of sustainability at The Leela Palace in Jaipur

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Pink City recently witnessed a scintillating musical evening with three-time Grammy winner and United Nations ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ Ricky Kej live in concert. The event, titled ‘Rhythm of the Earth,’ was part of a series of concerts held across four of The Leela palace properties. Set against the backdrop of The Leela’s majestic landscapes, this musical concert series began in Bengaluru, continued in Chennai and Udaipur, and concluded in Jaipur. This series aimed to bring the symphonic beauty of nature together with the evocative power of music, igniting a spark for compassion and awareness on global issues through Ricky Kej’s performances.

Ricky Kej and his band with Sharad Puri (in black), Senior Vice President and General Manager, The Leela Palace Jaipur and Indian activist, Kailash Satyarthi

The concert was designed to be an exclusive, intimate performance by Ricky Kej, accompanied by virtuoso musicians. The music, augmented by stunning visuals, created a spectacular audio-visual experience centered around the natural world, sustainability, and India’s rich heritage. Ricky Kej aspires to champion global causes through his music, raising awareness on issues like climate change and sustainable practices.

Guests at the concert were treated to a harmonious blend of melodies that resonated far beyond the performance space, fostering a profound connection with nature and the community. The band performed songs like “One Song” and “Ganga,” along with compositions addressing themes such as the environment, culture, tribal farming, wildlife preservation, and climate change. Being in Rajasthan, the traditional piece “Kesariya Balam” was an obvious choice to woo the audience. The popular Sufi rendition “Mast Kalandar” was also featured, with the concert concluding with an instrumental performance of the national anthem.

In alignment with The Leela’s sustainability efforts, a wellness-inspired sit-down dinner menu under ‘Aujasya by The Leela’ was specially curated for all patrons across the participating hotels. This initiative further underscored the brand’s commitment to promoting well-being and responsible living. The dinner commenced with a refined white balsamic compressed melon, paired with avocado curd and burrata to delicately cleanse the palate. This was followed by an exquisite mushroom appetizer featuring edamame, shimeji, and summer truffle. For the main course, non-vegetarians savored herb-roasted chicken and teriyaki-glazed salmon, while vegetarians indulged in a beautifully layered roast vegetable dish. The culinary journey concluded with a sumptuous dessert of tender coconut and kaffir lime panna cotta, providing a perfect finale to the evening.

A delicious sit-down dinner was served after the concert.

The Leela partnered with the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) in support of the Satyarthi Movement of Global Compassion. The proceeds from these concerts were donated to KSCF, with The Leela’s partnership sponsoring 11 Bal Mitra Grams (Child-Friendly Villages), in Rajasthan. The collaboration with Ricky Kej highlighted The Leela’s dedication to supporting environmental and humanitarian causes.

Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer of The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts, expressed the brand’s vision: “Today’s travellers are seeking immersive and meaningful experiences. This gives The Leela an opportunity to curate fulfilling experiences that resonate with all our patrons. We are excited to host the 2nd edition of this concert with Ricky Kej, and through this partnership, we continue to redefine luxury through a lens of responsibility and sustainability for our guests.”

Ricky Kej shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to partner with The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts for the second edition of ‘Rhythm of the Earth.’ Music is an effective tool to communicate messages, and partnering with The Leela gives me a platform to strengthen my outreach and inspire change.”

Through ‘Rhythm of the Earth,’ The Leela and Ricky Kej not only created a magical musical journey but also reaffirmed their commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and the community.