Grammys 2026: Anoushka Shankar, Alam Khan, Shakti and other Indian artists nominated this year

indians at grammy

• Indian musicians receive multiple Grammy nominations in global, instrumental categories
• Anoushka Shankar, Siddhant Bhatia, Charu Suri, and Shakti among the nominees
• Grammy Awards 2026 airs live on CBS and JioHotstar for Indian viewers

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As anticipation builds for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, Indian and Indian-origin musicians have emerged as a strong creative force in the 2026 nominations, securing recognition across several prestigious global and instrumental categories.

The 2026 Grammys are led by Kendrick Lamar, who tops the list with nine nominations, followed closely by Lady Gaga, producer Jack Antonoff, and hitmaker Cirkut, each earning seven nods. Amid these global heavyweights, Indian artists have carved out a notable space, particularly in categories celebrating cross-cultural and experimental music.

Among the most prominent names is Anoushka Shankar, who continues her long-standing relationship with the Grammys by earning two nominations this year. Her composition Daybreak has been shortlisted for Best Global Music Performance, while her collaborative album Chapter III: We Return To Light has received a nod in the Best Global Music Album category. Created alongside acclaimed sarod player Alam Khan and drummer Sarathy Korwar, the album has been praised for blending Indian classical traditions with modern, exploratory soundscapes.

Another Indian composer drawing attention is Siddhant Bhatia, whose album Sounds of Kumbha has been nominated in the global music category. Known for his devotional yet contemporary musical language, Bhatia’s work bridges spirituality and modern composition, reflecting India’s evolving presence on the world music stage.

Adding to the list is Charu Suri, an Indo-American jazz pianist and composer, who has earned a nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Shayan. Suri’s music stands out for its seamless fusion of Indian ragas with jazz idioms, resulting in compositions that are both technically sophisticated and emotionally resonant.

Legendary fusion band Shakti has also made a powerful return to the Grammys spotlight. The group’s Mind Explosion – 50th Anniversary Tour Live has been nominated for Best Global Music Album, while Shrini’s Dream (Live) has been recognised in the Best Global Music Performance category, underscoring the band’s enduring influence across generations.

Also read: Grammys 2026: Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga to lead a star-studded lineup of performers

The Grammy Awards 2026 will be broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on CBS at 8 pm ET, with Indian viewers able to stream the ceremony live on JioHotstar from 6:30 am IST.