Ricky Kej’s cellphone rang a couple of minutes after he landed on the Bengaluru airport. He was returning house from Los Angeles after profitable his first Grammy in 2015. The quantity was unknown, however he answered the decision.
“Whats up, my title is Lata. I’m a singer. I simply known as to congratulate you,” mentioned a younger feminine voice.
“Thanks,” replied Ricky, “However might I understand how you bought my quantity?” He had simply landed and wasn’t very happy with a random individual calling him.
“Oh, sorry. My assistant gave me your quantity.” Then one other voice spoke, “Hello Ricky, that is Mahesh. We’ve met earlier than. I’m Lata Mangeshkar’s assistant.”
Ricky, for just a few seconds, was greatly surprised. He couldn’t consider his ears. “Wow. I’m actually sorry. Subsequent time, please inform me your full title. You aren’t simply a singer,” he advised Lata Mangeshkar, “I assumed it was some 16-year-old lady.”
“Sab yeh hello bolti hain (Everybody tells me the identical),” she laughed.
The dialog went on for an additional 45 minutes. It’s one among Ricky’s most cherished cellphone calls.
“There are just a few reminiscences like this on the Bangalore airport,” he says over the cellphone from Bengaluru, “It’s seen a lot of my life – goodbyes and hellos, departures and arrivals. It connects me to the remainder of the world. It’s like my second house.”
These feelings are mirrored within the music video for the BLR Airport Anthem (composed by Ricky), launched final week.
The anthem, that includes the voice of Grammy-winning singer Lonnie Park, captures the essence of journey and connection. The video contains three poignant tales that resonate with each traveller. A daughter bids an emotional farewell to her father, highlighting the bittersweet moments of departure. We see the enjoyment and anticipation of reunions by means of the eyes of somewhat lady and her mom eagerly awaiting her father’s arrival. Lastly, a blind girl navigates the airport simply, experiencing its blind-friendly options emphasising inclusivity and accessibility.
The anthem’s lyrics, “Nothing is simply too far; Irrespective of the place you’re. You’ll by no means be alone; That is the gateway to your property,” match the visuals. They try to remind travellers that Bangalore Airport is greater than only a transit level.
The anthem was not commissioned to Ricky; it was born out of a private connection. “Whereas ready for my flights, I take out my laptop computer, placed on my headphones, and begin composing. So, a variety of my music was created on this airport. It’s my gateway to the world, the bridge that takes me on adventures and brings me again house. So, I assumed, why not write a track about it?”
The BLR Airport anthem was initially a 45-second musical snippet. He hesitantly confirmed it to his buddy, Hari Marar, the airport’s CEO, anticipating suggestions for later growth. However the latter beloved it and needed him to create an anthem to be performed on the launch of the T2 Terminal in 2022. “In case you aren’t making it, I’m going to play this 45-second clip with my cellphone on a mic throughout the launch,” he playfully threatened Ricky.
This surprising push and his ardour for the undertaking fueled Ricky’s completion of the track. A yr and a half later, the anthem was prepared.
The track is a catchy pop-rock anthem. He didn’t fret an excessive amount of about it reflecting town’s tradition. “Bangalore’s a metropolis with a blended bag of influences. So, you possibly can’t have one factor that may encapsulate it. That being mentioned, my very own identification is deeply intertwined with Bangalore. I’ve been right here since I used to be six. Every little thing I do, all the pieces I create, has Bangalore woven into it. So naturally, that seeps into the track,” says Ricky, “The track is an extension of myself, a tribute to this metropolis that’s been my house for therefore lengthy.”