Shakti, a fusion music group comprising tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and singer Shankar Mahadevan, has won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for 'This Moment'.
The 2024 Grammy Awards were held on late Sunday night at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena.
'This Moment' features Shakti founding member, guitarist John McLaughlin alongside Hussain, Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram.
Shakti's 'This Moment', the group's first studio album in more than 45 years, was released to critical acclaim in June 2023.
The Recording Academy, which conducts the Grammy Awards, announced on its X page, "Congrats Best Global Music Album winner - 'This Moment' Shakti."
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.
Other nominees in the best global music album were: 'Epifanías' (Susana Baca), 'History' (Bokanté), 'I Told Them...' (Burna Boy) and 'Timeless' (Davido).
Hussain won two more Grammys at the event: one for best global music performance for 'Pashto' and the other for best contemporary instrumental album for 'As We Speak' alongside American banjo player Bela Fleck and American bassist Edgar Meyer, featuring Indian flute player Rakesh Chaurasia, nephew of legendary flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia.
Without love and music we are nothing, said Hussain in his award acceptance speech for "Pashto".
"Thanks to the Academy, thanks to all these musicians great musicians for giving us this beautiful (live) music today. One of our members is missing, Mr Bela Fleck.
"So from him, Mr Rakesh Chaurasia, and Mr Edgar Meyer, our deepest thanks... Families are here and without them, we are nothing. Without love, music, harmony, we are nothing," the veteran percussionist said.
The best global music performance category had eight nominees, including "Abundance In Millets", a song by Falu and featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi; "Shadow Forces" by Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, and Shahzad Ismaily, and "Alone" by Burna Boy.
Other nominees in the best contemporary instrumental album segment included: 'On Becoming' by House Of Waters, 'Jazz Hands' by Bob James, 'The Layers' by Julian Lage, and 'All One' by Ben Wendel.
Two-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej, who attended the awards ceremony, called 2024 the year of India at the Grammys.
Billed as an "unprecedented transcontinental collaboration", Shakti unites Eastern and Western musicians, and in the process forged the template for what is now called world music, according to the group's official website.
"Their dynamic musical hybrid immediately enthralled audiences around the globe – and inspired generations of musicians, artists, and thinkers from all walks of life to embark on their own cross-cultural odysseys."
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Big B defends his choice to praise Abhishek openly and others privately
Amitabh Bachchan reveals why he praises Abhishek publicly but not Jaya or Aishwarya
Quick highlights:
Amitabh Bachchan has responded to online comments asking why he often praises son Abhishek Bachchan on social media but not wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, or daughter Shweta. The actor explained that while he chooses to support Abhishek publicly, he honours the women in his family privately, saying he prefers to respect them “in his heart.”
Bachchan defends Abhishek praise, addresses fan remarks online
The 81-year-old actor, who regularly shares photos and thoughts with fans, recently posted images of himself meeting admirers outside his Mumbai home, Jalsa. Captioned “Yes, I praise Abhishek. So?”, the post sparked comments from users questioning why he doesn’t do the same for Jaya, Aishwarya, or Shweta.
Responding directly, Bachchan wrote, “Yes, I shall praise them in my heart… not publicly… respect for the ladies.” His reply quickly circulated across platforms, with many praising his thoughtful answer. Others pointed to his tendency to engage more often when defending Abhishek, especially around film releases.
Bachchan also shut down a user accusing him of having “paid fans,” bluntly replying, “Prove it! You are small-minded… why don’t you pay and get fans too?” When another person mocked those waiting outside his home as “unemployed,” he replied with characteristic wit: “So give them a job? When they stand at the gate of Jalsa, they are EMPLOYED in love.”
Actor remains active on social media while juggling film projects
Bachchan has become increasingly interactive online in recent years, often directly responding to criticism and fan feedback. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy that released earlier this month. Jaya Bachchan appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, while Aishwarya Rai was part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Despite the online chatter, Amitabh continues to walk his own path, on-screen and online.