Indian artists make history at the 2026 Grammy awards with multiple nominations

Highlights

• Anoushka Shankar earns her 11th and 12th Grammy nominations
• Shakti celebrates its 50th anniversary with two nods
• Charu Suri recognized for her jazz-infused instrumental album
• Siddhant Bhatia’s Kumbh-inspired project joins the global music spotlight

Anoushka Shankar’s musical legacy continues

Sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar leads India’s Grammy presence this year with two nominations. Her EP, Chapter III: We Return to Light, created in collaboration with Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar, is nominated for Best Global Music Album. The trio also earned a nod for Best Global Music Performance for the track Daybreak.

This marks Shankar’s 11th and 12th Grammy nominations, reinforcing her role as a global ambassador of Indian classical music. Her work continues to blend traditional Indian sounds with contemporary arrangements, a hallmark of her two-decade career.

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Shakti celebrates 5 decades with Grammy recognition

Jazz-fusion group Shakti, co-founded by John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain, received two nominations for their live album Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live). The album is up for Best Global Music Album, while their track Shrini’s Dream (Live) competes in the Best Global Music Performance category.

Shakti’s recognition at the Grammys underscores the enduring appeal of their genre-defying sound, which merges Indian classical rhythms with Western jazz improvisation.

Siddhant Bhatia’s spiritual soundscape earns a nod

Composer Siddhant Bhatia joins the Grammy roster with his album Sounds of Kumbha, inspired by the sonic and spiritual energy of the Kumbh Mela. The project, rich in collaborative textures, is nominated for Best Global Music Album. Bhatia’s work reflects a growing trend of Indian artists drawing from cultural heritage to create globally resonant music.

Charu Suri’s jazz journey gains global acclaim

Indo-American pianist and composer Charu Suri earned a nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for her record Shayan. Known for blending jazz with Indian classical motifs, Suri’s work has steadily gained recognition in international jazz circles. She also contributed as a producer to Bhatia’s Sounds of Kumbha, further connecting the Indian Grammy narrative.

Grammy ceremony details

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will spotlight a diverse range of global talent, with Indian musicians playing a prominent role in this year’s celebration.