Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Shakti’ Creates History with Grammy Win
Los Angeles, February 5: Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Shakti’ – In a momentous victory, the fusion band ‘Shakti,’ featuring musical legends John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, V Selvaganesh, and Ganesh Rajagopalan, clinched the Global Music Album award at the 66th Grammy Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena.
Exclusive Insights from Shankar Mahadevan:
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Shankar Mahadevan shared his elation on winning his first-ever Grammy. The renowned vocalist credited the historic win to his co-band members, John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain, acknowledging them as pioneers of the fusion genre. Mahadevan humbly stated, “I wouldn’t take credit for this at all. The seed of thought was put in people’s heads by them. Nobody could have thought about that.”
Emotional Journey and Musical Exploration:
Reflecting on his musical journey, Mahadevan expressed gratitude, saying, “It’s been a wonderful roller-coaster ride. But, my roller coaster never had a dip. It is just going straight at full speed. I just thank god for that. It’s been wonderful just exploring various musical genres. But, there’s a lot more to do, lots more to learn and lots more people to work with. What an amazing journey we had!”
Indian Music on the Global Stage:
Commenting on the significance of the Grammy win, Mahadevan shared, “In any musician’s life, this kind of moment boosts one’s energy. And the fact that our Indian music, not necessarily Bollywood, but Indian classical music, and various improvisational forms of music which are very deep and mathematically complicated with Ragas and different rhythmic patterns, etc., are reaching out to the world and people are appreciating it. That’s a great feeling.”
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About Shakti: A Transcontinental Collaboration:
Shakti, an unprecedented transcontinental collaboration, brought together Eastern and Western musicians, pioneering what is now known as World Music. Their dynamic musical hybrid immediately enthralled global audiences, inspiring generations of musicians, artists, and thinkers to embark on their own cross-cultural odysseys.
The Grammy win for Shakti marks a historic milestone not only for the band but for Indian music on the global stage. As the euphoria continues, Shankar Mahadevan and his bandmates look forward to further exploration, learning, and collaboration in the vast world of music.
Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Shakti’ Grammy Win: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: Which band won the Global Music Album award at the 66th Grammy Awards?
- A: ‘Shakti,’ featuring John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, V Selvaganesh, and Ganesh Rajagopalan.
- Q: Who did Shankar Mahadevan credit for Shakti’s Grammy win?
- A: Shankar Mahadevan credited John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain, describing them as pioneers of the fusion genre.
- Q: What did Shankar Mahadevan say about the significance of the Grammy win for Indian music?
- A: He mentioned that it boosts the energy of musicians and expressed joy that Indian classical music and various forms are reaching a global audience.
- Q: How did Shankar Mahadevan describe his musical journey?
- A: He described it as a wonderful roller-coaster ride without any dips, expressing gratitude for the diverse exploration of musical genres.
- Q: Who are the members of the Shakti band?
- A: The Shakti band features Shankar Mahadevan, John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, V Selvaganesh, and Ganesh Rajagopalan.
- Q: What role did Shakti play in the music world?
- A: Shakti is described as an unprecedented transcontinental collaboration that united Eastern and Western musicians, pioneering what is now known as World Music.
- Q: What accolade did Shakti receive at the Grammy Awards?
- A: Shakti won the Global Music Album award at the 66th Grammy Awards.
