Indian flautist Rakesh Chaurasia made history at the 66th Grammy Awards by winning two prestigious awards, Best Global Music Performance for the track “Pashto” from his album “As We Speak” & the award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for the entire album “As We Speak”
This is the first time Rakesh Chaurasia has won a Grammy award, and he achieved the feat twice in one night. These wins elevate the global recognition of Indian classical music and contemporary fusion compositions. “As We Speak” features renowned musicians like Ustad Zakir Hussain on tabla, Bela Fleck on banjo, and Edgar Meyer on bass. The collaborative nature of the album and its success highlight the power of cross-cultural musical synergy.
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Also Read: Shankar Mahadevan’s band Shakti bags ‘Best Global Music Album’ at Grammy Awards
Rakesh Chaurasia is the nephew of legendary flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia. This win carries forward the Chaurasia family’s legacy in the music world.
Chaurasia expressed his overwhelming joy and dedicated the awards to his country and fellow musicians. Many Indian celebrities and institutions congratulated him on this historic achievement.
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“As We Speak” features a blend of Indian classical influences and contemporary sounds. The track “Pashto” particularly draws inspiration from Afghan music and showcases Chaurasia’s masterful flute playing.
These wins are likely to open doors for further collaborations between Indian musicians and global artists, enriching the world of music and promoting cultural exchange.
Besides Chaurasia, the legendary fusion band Shakti made history by winning the Best Global Music Album award at the 66th Grammy Awards for their album “This Moment”.
- The award acknowledges the exceptional musicianship of the band’s members:
- John McLaughlin (guitar)
- Zakir Hussain (tabla)
- Shankar Mahadevan (vocals)
- V Selvaganesh (percussion)
- Ganesh Rajagopalan (violin)