On Friday, the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru launched its official anthem composed by three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej. Capturing the essence of the evergreen city and the ethos of its cultural essence, this Kannada-English track is crooned by two-time Grammy Award winner Lonnie Park and renowned Kannada singer Siddhartha Belmannu.
All About Bengaluru Airport’s Anthem,‘World Is Waiting For You’
During the anthem launch at Bengaluru Airport on July 19, Ricky Kej revealed to NewsDrum how airports have played an important role as a frequent flyer in his life. Based out of Bengaluru, the three-time Grammy Award winner called Kempegowda Airport his “second home”. This inspired him to compose a song about the airport. The beauty of the airport and his memories at the establishment prodded him to compose a bilingual extravaganza.
On the vocals are Lonnie Park and Siddhartha Belmannu. Kej recollected meeting Lonnie Park in Bengaluru last December who lauded Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 2. He described it as (James Cameron’s film) Avatar-like airport. So, when Lonnie Park came to know Kej was composing an anthem for Bengaluru Airport, he volunteered to sing it for free.
You can find the foot-tapping and vibrant ‘Airport Anthem’ on Spotify, Amazon Music and other platforms. Accompanying the catchy track is a video that showcases the journeys of three passengers from Kempegowda Airport. The anthem is titled: ‘The World is Waiting For You.’
When Ricky Kej Received A Call From Lata Mangeshkar At The Airport
When it comes to unforgettable memories at Bengaluru Airport, Kej recalls a serendipitous tale involving the ‘Nightingale of India’ Lata Mangeshkar. On landing at Bengaluru International Airport after winning his first Grammy in 2015, Kej received a congratulatory call from an unknown number.
BLR Airport’s new tune is an anthem! Composed by Grammy winner Ricky Kej and his collaborators, this song is a tribute to BLR Airport – a place of infinite possibilities, connections, and a gateway to the future.
Join us on 19th July at 4 PM as we go live on social media with… pic.twitter.com/gERYd5VyPE
— BLR Airport (@BLRAirport) July 18, 2024
The caller introduced herself as Lata and congratulated him. Puzzled, he asked her how she got his number, and that’s when he realised that the caller was none other than Lata Mangeshkar. To date, Ricky Kej associates this moment with the airport.
Well, Bengalureans, isn’t it a matter of pride that one of the world’s most beautiful airports, Kempegowda International Airport has its own anthem composed by three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej with vocals by two-time Grammy winner and Bengaluru Airport’s T2 fan Lonnie Park?
Cover Image Courtesy: Kempegowda International Airport/ Website
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