The nominations for the 67th Grammy Awards are in, and this year’s list is a proud moment for Indian-origin artists. Six exceptional musicians of Indian heritage, including Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej and sitarist Anoushka Shankar, are among the nominees, showcasing the growing influence of Indian talent on the world music stage.
Ricky Kej, an environmentalist and three-time Grammy winner from Bengaluru, has earned his fourth Grammy nomination in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for his album Break of Dawn. Known for blending Indian classical sounds with global ambient influences, Kej’s music reflects his commitment to environmental issues, a theme central to his past award-winning projects like Winds of Samsara and Divine Tides. His contributions have brought Indian music to a wider audience, highlighting the versatility of traditional Indian sounds.
Another star nominee is Anoushka Shankar, daughter of the legendary sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. Shankar, who fuses traditional and contemporary sounds, has received nominations in two categories. Her album Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn is recognized in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category, while her collaboration on A Rock Somewhere with British musician Jacob Collier has earned her a nod in the Best Global Music Performance category. Shankar’s journey with the Grammys has been extensive, having become the first Indian to perform at the awards in 2006. With over nine Grammy nominations to her name, her legacy continues to inspire new generations of Indian musicians.
The Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category also features two other Indian-origin artists. Radhika Vekaria, a British artist born to Indian parents, is nominated for her album Warriors of Light, which showcases her vocal prowess in multiple languages, including Sanskrit and Tamil. Chandrika Tandon, an entrepreneur and musician, also received a nomination for her album Triveni, created in collaboration with Grammy-winning flautist Wouter Kellerman and cellist Eru Matsumoto. Tandon, known for her passion for Indian classical music, received her first Grammy nod in 2010.
Varijashree Venugopal, a talented vocalist, and flautist from Bengaluru, has received her first Grammy nomination for her feature in A Rock Somewhere, where she joins Shankar in the Best Global Music Performance category. Mumbai-born jazz guitarist Noshir Mody is also among the nominees, recognized for his contribution to the song Kashira by Masa Takumi in the same category.
