Introduction
India made history at the 66th Grammy Awards, held on February 4, 2024, in Los Angeles, by winning three awards in the global music categories.
Indian jazz band Shakti, featuring John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, V Selvaganesh, and Ganesh Rajagopalan, won the Best Global Music Album for their album This Moment, which was their first studio release in 46 years.
Zakir Hussain also won the Best Global Music Performance for his song Pashto, along with Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, and Indian flutist Rakesh Chaurasia, who also won the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for their album As We Speak.
These awards are a testament to the talent and diversity of Indian musicians, who have blended classical, folk, and contemporary styles to create a unique fusion of sounds.
Background
Shakti was formed in 1973 by British guitarist John McLaughlin, Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, and percussionist Vikku Vinayakram, and later joined by violinist L Shankar and the late mridangam maestro Ramnad Raghavan.
The band released three albums before disbanding in 1977, and briefly reunited in 1997 as Remember Shakti, with vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, percussionist V Selvaganesh, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan joining the original members.
The band regrouped again in 2020 and embarked on a 50th anniversary world tour, which culminated in the recording of their album This Moment, which was released on June 30, 2023.
The album consists of eight songs that showcase the band’s mastery of improvisation, rhythm, and melody, and features elements of Indian classical, jazz, rock, and world music.
Motivation
Shakti expressed their gratitude and pride for winning the Grammy for Best Global Music Album, which was a new category introduced in 2023 to replace the previous Best World Music Album.
The band dedicated their award to their families, friends, and India, and said that they were honored to represent the country on the global stage.
They also thanked their fans for their support and appreciation, and said that they hoped to inspire more young musicians to explore and experiment with different genres and cultures.
They also acknowledged their fellow nominees, who included Nigerian stars Burna Boy and Davido, Peruvian singer Susana Baca, and global group Bokanté.
Implications
Shakti’s win is a significant milestone for the Indian music industry, as it marks the first time that an Indian band has won a Grammy in the global music category, and the second time that an Indian artist has won a Grammy, after A R Rahman’s two awards in 2009.
Shakti’s win also reflects the growing recognition and popularity of Indian music in the international arena, as well as the diversity and richness of the country’s musical heritage and traditions.
Shakti’s win also puts the spotlight on the fusion genre, which has been a creative and innovative way of blending different musical styles and influences, and creating a new and original sound that transcends boundaries and barriers.
Shakti’s win also encourages more collaboration and exchange between Indian and foreign musicians, who can learn from each other and create more exciting and meaningful music.
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