At the 66th Grammy Awards 2024 Night, Ustad Zakir Hussain Secures Triple Grammy Honors, While Rakesh Chaurasia Earns Two
Renowned tabla virtuoso, composer, and music producer, Ustad Zakir Hussain, etched his name in the annals of Indian music history by clinching an unprecedented trio of Grammy Awards at the 66th Grammy Awards 2024 in Los Angeles. Hussain’s triumph spanned across diverse categories, with accolades for Best Global Music Performance, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and Best Global Music Album. Collaborating with a stellar ensemble including Rakesh Chaurasia, Shankar Mahadevan, Béla Fleck, and Edgar Meyer, Hussain’s multifaceted talent shone brightly on the global stage.
This landmark achievement further solidifies Hussain’s legacy, as he joins the elite league of Indian maestros with five Grammy Awards to his credit, a feat previously shared only by luminaries such as the late maestro Zubin Mehta and sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. Notably, the latest accolade adds to Hussain’s earlier Grammy triumphs in 1992 and 2009, underscoring his enduring impact on the world of music.
In a noteworthy victory for their collaborative effort, the album “This Moment” by Shankar Mahadevan and Zakir Hussain’s fusion ensemble, Shakti, clinched the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album. Featuring a stellar lineup including violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, percussionist V. Selvaganesh, and guitarist John McLaughlin, the album exemplifies the fusion of diverse musical traditions into a harmonious tapestry.
Extending felicitations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to congratulate Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Rakesh Chaurasia, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and V. Selvaganesh on their remarkable achievement.
Expressing gratitude to the academy and his fellow musicians, Hussain remarked, “We are grateful to the academy and all of these amazing musicians for creating such exquisite, well-rehearsed music with us. I appreciate you all.”
Three Grammy Awards:
- Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: “As We Speak” – Collaboration with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia.
- Best Global Music Performance: “Pashto” – Collaboration with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia.
- Best Instrumental Composition: “Motion” – Collaboration with Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck, and Rakesh Chaurasia.