India’s influence in world music is increasingly unmistakable, as Indian and Indian-origin artists secure nominations at the 68th Grammys. The annual ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, will see a strong Indian presence in major global music categories.
At the forefront is sitarist-composer Anoushka Shankar. Her latest EP, Chapter III: We Return to Light, created with sarod maestro Alam Khan and percussionist Sarathy Korwar, is nominated for Best Global Music Album. This project blends Indian classical traditions with modern sonic landscapes, embodying her two-decade journey of innovation and global reach.
Joining her in the global music sweep are composer Siddhant Bhatia’s album Sounds of Kumbha—a spiritually and sonically inspired collaboration centred on the Kumbh Mela—and the legendary jazz-fusion group Shakti’s live album Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live). Both are nominated in the same Best Global Music Album category, affirming how Indian artists are now key players in defining the global music narrative.
Beyond the album field, both Shankar and Shakti earned Best Global Music Performance nominations: Shankar for her track Daybreak (with Khan & Korwar) and Shakti for their live piece Shrini’s Dream. These nods reinforce how Indian rhythms, instruments and creativity are resonating across genres and borders.
On the instrumental side, Indo-American pianist-composer Charu Suri is nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album with her project Shayan. Drawing on jazz infused with Indian musical colours, Suri’s nomination spotlights the rich cross-cultural dialogue Indian-origin artists are fostering.
These nominations mark not only individual achievements but signal a wider shift: Indian classical, folk and experimental music are no longer niche—they are shaping global conversations in contemporary music. The world stage is listening.
