Triumph at the 66th Grammy Awards: Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain, and Rakesh Chaurasia Shine with Multiple Wins

Indian musicians Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain, and Rakesh Chaurasia garnered international acclaim at the 66th Grammy Awards, bringing honor to their home country. Zakir Hussain notably secured three Grammy wins, while Rakesh Chaurasia clinched two prestigious awards. The fusion band Shakti, featuring Shankar and Zakir, received the Grammy for Best Global Music Album for their work titled ‘This Moment,’ released in June 2023. Comprising eight compositions by renowned artists including John McLaughlin, L Shankar, and Ustad Zakir Hussain, ‘This Moment’ marks a significant comeback for Shakti after a hiatus of 46 years.

In addition to the Best Global Music Album, Zakir Hussain claimed victories in the categories of Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Rakesh Chaurasia, celebrated for his mastery of the bansuri and Indian bamboo flute, shared the honors with Zakir in both categories. Their collaborative composition “Pashto” earned the Grammy for Best Global Music Performance, while “As We Speak,” featuring the same song, secured the award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Notably, “Pashto” surpassed Falguni-Gaurav Shah’s composition ‘Abundance in Millets,’ featuring a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in its achievement. The triumph of these Indian artists underscores the global recognition of the country’s rich musical heritage.