India’s renowned singer-composer, Shankar Mahadevan, along with his fusion band Shakti, has made the nation proud by winning the Best Global Music Album award at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Their acclaimed album, “This Moment”, was launched in June 2023.
Grammy Night: A Night to Remember
The fusion band Shakti, which includes the talents of Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, V Selvaganesh, and Ganesh Rajagopalan, has made India proud by winning the 2024 Grammy for ‘Best Global Music Album’. Their award-winning album, “This Moment”, was unveiled to the world on June 30, 2023.
Band Shakti’s “This Moment” is a musical journey through eight songs, including ‘Shrini’s Dream’, ‘Bending the Rules, ‘Karuna’, ‘Giriraj Sudha’, ‘Mohanam’, and ‘Las Palmas’. The album is a beautiful amalgamation of Indian classical music and jazz, representing a harmonious blend of the Hindustani and Carnatic music traditions.
The Grammy recognition for “This Moment” stands as a testament to the band’s innovative musical approach, their extraordinary talent, and the global appeal of their fusion sound. Interestingly, each track in the album was recorded individually by each band member, showcasing not only their individual brilliance but also their ability to create harmony as a team.
Shakti: A Global Sensation
Shakti, a unique fusion band, was established in 1973, originally named “Turiyananda Sangit”, meaning “The pinnacle delight in music”. The band was created after the first Mahavishnu Orchestra disbanded. The founding members were John McLaughlin, an English guitarist, L. Shankar, an Indian violinist, Zakir Hussain, a tabla maestro, and T. H. “Vikku” Vinayakram, a ghatam virtuoso.
After a break, the band was reformed in 2020 and released their first album as Shakti in 46 years, “This Moment”, on June 23, 2023. Shakti’s music is a beautiful fusion of Indian music and jazz, combining the Hindustani tradition from North India and the Carnatic tradition from South India. The band’s name, Shakti, symbolizes “creative intelligence, beauty, and power”, reflecting the spirit of their music.
“This Moment”: The Album That Won Hearts
“This Moment”, the group’s first studio album in over four decades, consists of eight tracks that beautifully showcase the skills of John McLaughlin (guitar, guitar synth), Zakir Hussain (tabla), Shankar Mahadevan (vocals), V Selvaganesh (percussion), and Ganesh Rajagopalan (violin). The album was met with widespread critical praise.
As a prominent figure in the music industry, Shankar Mahadevan serves as an inspiration to aspiring musicians around the world. His dedication to his craft and his unwavering passion for music serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. Mahadevan’s Grammy win is not only a personal triumph but also a victory for the entire music community, inspiring future generations of artists to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
A Gesture of Gratitude
Shankar Mahadevan, accompanied on stage by Rajagopalan and Selvaganesh, accepted the award with a heartfelt speech. He expressed his deep gratitude towards his bandmates, including McLaughlin, who couldn’t attend the ceremony, and Hussain, who was backstage after receiving another Grammy.
Mahadevan’s words, “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,” resonated with the audience, earning a round of thunderous applause. He dedicated the win to his wife, Sangeeta, to whom he said every note of his music is dedicated.
New Chapter for Indian Music
This victory signifies a landmark moment for Indian music on the international platform. The recognition of Shakti’s work at the Grammys highlights the global resonance of fusion music and the extraordinary talent of Indian musicians. As India rejoices in this accomplishment, the world eagerly anticipates more such ‘moments’ from the Indian music scene.
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