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Global musicians unite for Gandhi tribute album “Mantras of Compassion”
The album will be presented during a tour in Houston and New York.
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Bhavana P - Tue, 09, Sep 2025
- 14:48 EDT
- 12
“GANDHI: Mantras of Compassion” features Ricky Kej, Tina Guo, Masa Takumi amongst others / Great Scott Productions
A collective of GRAMMY-winning artists from around the world has released a global musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi celebrating the Indian leader’s legacy of peace and nonviolence.
The “GANDHI: Mantras of Compassion” project featuring original compositions, traditional hymns, and spoken word passages was spearheaded by three-time GRAMMY winner Ricky Kej and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, who developed the concept during a four-city India tour last year.
(L-R) Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi with three-time GRAMMY winner Ricky Kej / Great Scott ProductionsThey were joined by GRAMMY-nominated cellist Tina Guo, GRAMMY-winning shamisen player Masa Takumi, and more than 230 musicians from 40 countries. The year-long production spanned 31 studios worldwide.
Also read: Ricky Kej releases music video honoring Kailash Satyarthi
“Mahatma Gandhi inspired generations of changemakers, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela. This album is our humble offering to keep that flame alive. Music has the power to transcend boundaries, just as Gandhi’s message did,” said Kej, a trailblazing Indian music composer, environmentalist, who has received honors such as India’s Padma Shri Award, the UN’s Global Humanitarian Award, and GQ’s Man of the Year.
The album blends new-age and world music with Gandhi’s favorite hymns and mantras, reinterpreted to reflect themes of unity, compassion, and coexistence. Highlights include a Sanskrit version of the Lord’s Prayer sung by 100 priests and nuns, later blended with a Los Angeles orchestra and blessed by Pope Francis, and “We Are One,” uniting 40 singers from 40 countries.
The 75-member New York Youth Symphony backs “Be The Change” alongside an Indian choir singing in Sanskrit. The album closes with “Abide With Me,” a hymn dear to Gandhi, featuring Dillard’s gospel chorus paired with an Indian choir.
Contributors include seven-time GRAMMY winner Stewart Copeland, folk legend Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary, the GRAMMY-winning choir Tonality, the New York Youth Symphony, and artists from diverse traditions. Satyarthi recorded four spoken word reflections on Gandhi’s relevance today.
Accompanying videos are being produced for every track, with two already released. Kej and Satyarthi will present the album during a tour beginning Sept. 20 at the Eternal Gandhi Museum in Houston and Sept. 25 at New York City’s Dimenna Center.
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