Indian musician Ricky Kej celebrated the remarkable achievements of musical talents from India at the 2024 Grammy Awards, hailing it as "India's year at the Grammys." The ceremony saw five Indians securing a total of six awards, with tabla legend Zakir Hussain leading with three wins. Fusion music band "Shakti," comprised of Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, V Selvaganesh, Ganesh Rajagopalan and John McLaughlin, claimed the prestigious Best Global Music Album Grammy at the 66th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, United States, on Sunday.
"Wow. This is truly India's year at the Grammys! Wow. Rakesh Chaurasia, Shankar Mahadevan, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Selvaganesh Vinayakram and Ustad Zakir Hussain. India is truly shining! Thrilled," wrote Kej, a three-time Grammy winnner.
Kej, 42, won his third Grammy last year for his album "Divine Tides" with Stewart Copeland. His first and second Grammys were in the Best New Age Album category in 2015 and 2022. Kej, who has a degree in dentistry but pursued music, and is also an environmentalist, remains the youngest Indian to win a Grammy.
The band "Shakti" won the award this year for the album "This Moment", defeating competition from artists such as Bokante, Susana Baca, Davido and Burna Bay. The album features a total of eight songs.
Mahadevan, who took the stage alongside Rajagopalan and Selvaganesh, gave a shout-out to McLaughlin and Hussain. While McLaughlin gave the ceremony a miss, Hussain was backstage as he had won another Grammy. "We miss you John ji. Zakir Hussain, he just had another Grammy today. Thank you boys, God, family, friends and India. We are proud of you, India," said Mahadevan in the speech, dedicating the win to his wife Sangeeta. Rajagopalan thanked the Recording Academy for the recognition.
Zakir Hussain, 72, won the Grammy award in the Best Global Music Performance category for his work in "Pashto" alongside Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, featuring flutist Rakesh Chaurasia. Chaurasia also won a Grammy in the Contemporary Instrumental Album category.
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