Ustad Zakir Hussain, a living legend, won three Grammys in one night: Best Global Music Performance for “Pashto,” Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for “As We Speak,” and Best Global Music Album Collaboration with the Fusion Band Shakti.
Rakesh Chaurasia, a virtuoso flautist, won two Grammys as part of the Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer ensemble for their compositions “Pashto” and “As We Speak.”
Shakti, a fusion band featuring Shankar Mahadevan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, Selvaganesh Vinayakram, and Ganesh Rajagopalan, won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album for their most recent release, “This Moment.”
These wins mark a watershed moment for Indian classical music at the Grammy Awards, with five Indian-origin artists recognised for their outstanding contributions.
The Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for Shakti’s “This Moment” marks the group’s remarkable comeback after more than 45 years since their last studio album. The album, which will be released in June 2023, includes eight captivating tracks that showcase the talents of Indian musicians as well as John McLaughlin.
In his acceptance speech, Ustad Zakir Hussain expressed gratitude for the awards while emphasising the importance of love and music. Rakesh Chaurasia also joined in the celebration, expressing his delight at being a part of such a historic occasion.
While Indian artists celebrated their victories, the 66th Annual Grammy Awards recognised global artists such as Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Miley Cyrus won her first Grammy for “Flowers,” and Taylor Swift won another for “Midnights.”.
Furthermore, the nomination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s collaboration with Falu for Best Global Music Performance highlighted India’s diverse musical landscape. Although the nomination did not result in a win, it did highlight the global reach of Indian music and culture.
Overall, the 2024 Grammy Awards were a success for Indian artists, highlighting their talent and creativity on a global scale while inspiring future generations to pursue their musical dreams.