United Nations International Day of Peace inspires the release date for the Shanti Samsara

UNITED STATES, Calif. - Sept. 20, 2016 - PRLog -- The Shanti Samsara album by Ricky Kej features musicians ranging from rock/pop stars Philip Lawrence (Bruno Mars, 2015 Grammy Winner Album of the Year) and Stewart Copeland (The Police) to the Soweto Gospel Choir (S. Africa) and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (S. Africa) to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (UK) and famed Sufi singer Sussan Deyhim to country music legend Gary Nicholson, singer Patti Austin and folk legend Peter Yarrow.

Says Ricky Kej, "I was honored to work with so many amazing musicians and filmmakers on the album and videos. The music videos were created by award winning filmmakers from India - Amoghavarsha and Sairam Sagiraju. They courageously filmed the submerging island of Kiribati whose inhabitants are on the frontline of climate change and are being forced to relocate."

Film producer Mark Magidson of famed movies BARAKA and SAMSARA generously donated footage from his films for the video projects as did legendary cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg. One of the videos of the Shanti Samsara album entitled "Shanti" features environmental activists and actresses Frances Fisher, Rosanna Arquette and Lindsay Wagner, who provide poetic voiceover narratives, and Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. See their video here:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EiYdvVo1So



The epic journey to produce the Shanti Samsara album began shortly after India's Ricky Kej won the 2014 Grammy for Best New Age album. With this title, Kej became the country's youngest Grammy winner and was invited to meet with Prime Minister Modi of India. The Prime Minister, knowing that he would deliver a keynote speech during the November 2015 UN Climate Change conference in Paris, inquired if Ricky would be willing to produce an environmental benefit album to honor all sentient beings through cultures across the globe. If Ricky agreed, as he did, the Prime Minister promised to launch & deliver the album to every Presidential attendee. Ricky completed the album. The Prime Minister delivered on his promise and the rest is history.

In April of this year, Ricky spoke in the UN General Assembly Hall and performed excerpts from The Shanti Samsara album. Kej states, "Everyone involved with the album believes that the people of our world can choose another way … a way of treating all living creatures and our planet with greater love and reverence. This process, of course, begins first within each of us, and the music of the Shanti Samsara project is designed to inspire this realization of inner wisdom."

The Shanti Samsara album represents a historic effort to bring an imperative focus on our planet's growing environmental and endangered species crisis. The 2-CD set is part of a 160-page pictorial coffee table book that tells the story of climate change, the plight of endangered species and the story of world-famed musicians who joined to support the album in order to increase awareness and inspire a difference.

Steve Robertson, CEO of ProjectPeaceOnEarth.org, was the Artistic Mentor on the album and one of its Executive Producers. He states, "I am in awe of this album and video project Ricky pulled off. It is monumental in scope and Herculean stature. I was honored to be one of its executive producers and witness, first hand, the total selflessness and generosity of amazing musical talent, actors and filmmakers who did everything necessary to participate and make this album, book and series of videos a reality and a gift for humanity."

When Kej was asked if he would be open to Major Theater chains, Schools and Churches showing the videos on a more widespread basis, he replied with a big smile, "Yes, Yes and Yes … it would be a dream to have more people see these wonderful videos, listen to the music of the album and be inspired to become change makers. Just ask me or Steve Robertson and we'll make this happen. We're open to working with any company, school or organization that wants to use what we've created to make a positive difference in our world."

Interviews with Ricky Kej (Shanti Samsara Producer), Steve Robertson (CEO of Project Peace on Earth and an Executive Producer on the album), and select musicians and filmmaking talent are available upon request.

Media Contacts:

USA: Steve Robertson
Phone: 310.871.2965 / Email: 2UniteAll@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL: Varsha Kej
Phone: +91-9880448336 / Email: Gowda.Varsha@gmail.com

Special interview with Anote Tong former President of Kiribati, the submerging islands:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPZRpjepaA

Special Elephant video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMIG3_b7Nmo

To watch ALL videos: ShantiSamsara.com