Sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar, who received two nominations at the Grammy Awards 2026, recently opened up about why she chose not to attend the prestigious ceremony and instead stayed back in India to focus on her ongoing projects.
Taking to Instagram, Anoushka shared a detailed note reflecting on her nominations and her decision to skip the event, while also questioning whether winning a Grammy truly defines an artist’s journey.
Along with her note, she posted a series of photographs from her recent performances, featuring moments of her playing the sitar on stage.
In the long caption accompanying the post, she wrote, "It’s Grammy day today! I’m proud to be twice nominated - for my album Chapter III: We Return to Light and for Daybreak, the lead song from the album. These are my 12th and 13th nominations, which in itself is HUGE!"
She then spoke about the emotional toll associated with being part of major award events, admitting that the experience often brings stress. "At the same time, it feels really good NOT to be in LA getting sucked into the whirlwind of interlocking excitement and stress that comes with major awards events. This year, I made a conscious decision not to go and to be on the road in India during the ceremony. I wanted to practice what I preach, which is that awards don’t matter like the actual connection playing music for people affords us as artists," she added.
Emphasising the importance of mental well-being, Anoushka further explained how the extensive preparations leading up to such events can take a toll. She wrote, "I wanted to take care of my mental health too- and I have to say, sometimes the process of spending literally thousands of dollars on the privilege of flying, attending, marketing and getting sucked in to the machine, hugely anxious about outfits and red carpets, starting to hope to win and then not winning (again and again!) can take a toll."
She also highlighted the realities of competition within global categories, noting how established names often have an advantage. "There is always a bigger mainstream artist dropping into our global categories who has MORE money to spend on marketing; there is always an artist who chooses to spend months networking, attending nominee events and ensuring their music and name lands in front of voters. I don’t say this from bitterness, but just to acknowledge what the behind-the-scenes reality can be. If tonight, I happen to win for the first time, of course, it will be a joyful experience, but I truly, truly believe it doesn’t matter in a deeper context," she added.
Before concluding her post, Anoushka expressed her excitement about being in India, close to her work and collaborators. She wrote, "Being here in India, where Chapter III really began, working and laughing and playing with my incredible band and crew, is the stuff of reality, of my TRUEST artistic life. Wishing luck and love to everyone nominated tonight- especially those whose music I genuinely love and respect!- and to our audience in Mumbai - we can’t wait to see you!"
Also read: Grammy Awards 2026: Anoushka Shankar misses out on Best Global Music Performance award
Anoushka Shankar received her first Grammy nomination in 2003 in the Best Global Music Album category for her third album, Live at Carnegie Hall, becoming the youngest-ever nominee in that category.
Over the years, she has been nominated in various categories at the Grammys in 2006, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
