India celebrated a remarkable achievement at the 2024 Grammy Awards, where five Indian musicians, including tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, secured prestigious honors. Zakir Hussain emerged as the biggest winner, securing three Grammys, while Rakesh Chaurasia received two. Singer Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Hussain's collaborators in the fusion group Shakti, each won one Grammy.
Shakti was honored with the 2024 Grammy Award for the Best Global Music Album for "This Moment," featuring the four Indian musicians and the legendary British guitarist John McLaughlin. The album, released in June 2023, marked Shakti's first studio album in over 45 years.
In addition to the Shakti award, Zakir Hussain received two more Grammys—Best Global Music Performance for "Pashto" and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for "As We Speak." Rakesh Chaurasia, part of the ensemble of American banjo player Bela Fleck and American bassist Edgar Meyer, earned Grammys for "Pashto" and "As We Speak."
Expressing gratitude in his award acceptance speech, Zakir Hussain emphasized the significance of love and music. Shankar Mahadevan acknowledged the absence of member Bela Fleck and dedicated the win to him, while Ganesh Rajagopalan thanked the Recording Academy for the recognition.
The 2024 Grammy Awards showcased India's musical prowess, with several Indian musicians winning accolades. A R Rahman, a two-time Grammy winner for "Slumdog Millionaire" in 2008, shared a group selfie with Hussain, Mahadevan, and Selvaganesh on Instagram, celebrating the success. Ricky Kej, a three-time Grammy winner, praised 2024 as the year of India at the Grammys, celebrating the achievements of Zakir Hussain and Rakesh Chaurasia.
The victory at the Grammys reflects the global recognition of India's rich musical heritage and the outstanding contributions of its talented musicians.
(With Agency Inputs)
