Grammy 2026 India: Anoushka Shankar and Shakti Shine in Global Nominations

India is set to make a massive splash at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards, with veteran artists and exciting new talents scoring major nominations. While global heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga are dominating the headlines, Indian musicians have carved out a significant space on the prestigious list.

Leading the pack is sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, who has secured her 11th Grammy nomination. She is nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category for her song Daybreak. This nomination is particularly special as it marks a "full circle" moment in music history. The track features her cousin, Alam Khan, and percussionist Sarathy Korwar. It echoes a similar historic nomination from 1984, when their legendary fathers—Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan—were nominated together for a live performance at Carnegie Hall.

Joining Anoushka are the legends of the Indo-jazz outfit, Shakti. Celebrating over 50 years of music, the band—featuring masters like Shankar Mahadevan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and John McLaughlin—will compete in the same category with their song Sreeni’s Dream, a tribute to the late mandolin genius U Srinivas. They are also in the race for Best Global Music Album for their 50th Anniversary Tour Live recording.

The 2026 list also brings fresh Indian talent to the global stage. New York-based jazz pianist Charu Suri has been nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Her album, Shayan (meaning sleep), uniquely blends jazz with Indian ragas designed to help listeners rest better. Additionally, singer Siddhant Bhatia will compete in the global album category for Sounds of Kumbh, a culturally rich album blending field recordings from Prayagraj with ancient mantras.

The winners will be announced on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.