Triumph is in the air as fusion band Shakti, which includes the celebrated Indian vocalist and composer Shankar Mahadevan and the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, clinches the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album with their work ‘This Moment’. Marking a momentous occasion for the influential ensemble, Mahadevan was greeted with a heartwarming reception as he touched down in Mumbai, carrying with him the golden gramophone that many artists around the world aspire to hold.
Mahadevan’s journey back to his homeland was nothing short of a hero’s welcome. The sheer joy and pride on the faces of fans and the media mirrored the significance of this accolade for Indian music on the global stage. He was not just carrying a trophy but also the dreams and aspirations of countless Indian musicians who look towards such international recognitions as a horizon to strive for.
The Grammy Award is the latest jewel in the crown of Shakti, a band that has significantly contributed to the fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions for decades. The band’s lineup on this Grammy-winning album includes founding member, guitarist John McLaughlin, alongside Hussain, Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram.
Shankar Mahadevan, ever humble and eloquently vocal, didn’t hold back his emotions and shared his feelings with the gathered press at the airport. “This is a very, very special moment for me and all of my band members. For me, it’s a dream come true. After touring for 25 years, here we got the Grammys,” he expressed, his voice reflecting the profound impact of this achievement on his illustrious career.
The joyous occasion was also reflected on social media, where Mahadevan expressed his heartfelt thanks in a post that underscored the serendipity of life and the fulfillment of lifelong dreams. “We did it. I never imagined that a band from where I have learnt my music and my musical aesthetics would be the band with whom I would eventually perform and win a Grammy. This is the moment from which I can easily say that dreams do come true. Shakti was a dream which came true! Thank you almighty for making this happen! It’s truly this moment.”
‘This Moment,’ the band’s latest contribution to the world of music, is their first studio album in over 45 years and has been met with widespread critical acclaim since its release in June 2023. The album serves not only as a testament to the band’s unwavering commitment to their art but also as a beacon of the timelessness and evolving nature of music.
On the Grammy stage, Mahadevan, alongside his band members, acknowledged the contribution of McLaughlin and Hussain in his sincere acceptance speech. The world received the message loud and clear when Mahadevan declared, “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,” giving his tribute to the great artists and the nation that has nurtured them.
While Hussain was in the backstage glow of his Grammy win, McLaughlin decided to give the ceremony a miss, leaving their bandmates to bask in the audience’s adoration. Mahadevan also took a moment to dedicate this mammoth achievement to his wife Sangeeta, who has undoubtedly been a pillar of support through his musical journey.
The Grammy win for ‘This Moment’ is not merely a personal victory for the individual members of Shakti, but a moment of pride for the global music industry and especially for India, as it highlights the country’s rich tapestry of musical heritage. With each note and rhythm that Shakti plays, they weave a story of cultural unity and the boundless potential of music to bring people together. This Grammy Award is a harmonic recognition of the tapestry they have woven. Indeed, as the composer so aptly noted, dreams do come true.
