Chandrika Tandon, Anoushka Shankar, Ricky Kej nominated for Grammy Awards

Five Indian American musicians — Chandrika Tandon, Anoushka Shankar, Ricky Kej, Radhika Vekaria and Noshir Mody — have been nominated for Grammy awards along with Indian vocalist, violinist and composer Varijashree Venugopal.

Tandon was nominated in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for her new album ‘Triveni’ with Grammy-winning world music flautist Wouter Kellerman, and Forbes 30 under 30 cellist Eru Matsumoto.

Triveni: Chandrika Tandon’s new album bridges cultures (October 8, 2024)

The three internationally acclaimed musicians teamed up to produce Triveni. Meaning a confluence of three, Triveni brings together the unique musical and cultural heritage of each artist and creates an immersive journey into the healing effects of sound.

“Triveni continues the journey I have been on for the past two decades. The mantras on this album represent vibrations of protection and inner healing that resonate deeply on multiple energetic frequencies,” says Indian American artist Tandon, who is also a business leader, and humanitarian, committed to elevating human happiness through music and education.

“The ancient Sanskrit words are drawn from Vedic tradition and the music derives from elements of classical Indian ragas. We hope this music will help everyone reach into their inner well of abundance, so we can all radiate Love Light Laughter,” says Tandon, who was recently recognized with the Ban Ki-moon Award for Women’s Empowerment.

READ: Indian fusion band bags Best Global Music Album at Grammys (February 5th, 2024)

Tandon is a member of the NYU Board of Trustees, and leads the NYU President’s Global Council. A former partner at McKinsey and Company, she is chair of Tandon Capital Associates, a financial advisory firm she founded in 1992.

Anoushka Shankar, daughter of legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar, has been nominated in the same category for her album ‘Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn.’

It was recorded during sessions with British producer and composer Peter Raeburn in his two Soundtree Studios in Los Angeles. According to a review in Pitchfork, the album “picks up where its predecessor left off, moving from the warm, cozy intimacy of the late afternoon to the more ambiguous emotional landscape of the deepest night.”

Anoushka Shankar has a second nomination — in the Best Global Music Performance category — for featuring on British multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jacob Collier’s song ‘A Rock Somewhere,’ along with Bengaluru-based vocalist, violinist and composer Varijashree Venugopal.

In the Best New Age, Ambient, Or Chant Album category music composer Ricky Kej has been nominated for the fourth time for his album ‘Break of Dawn.’ The North Carolina-born, Bangalore-based Kej is a three-time Grammy Award winner. Venugopal, who received her first Grammy nomination, contributed to Kej’s album as well.

Also included in the same category is Indian American artist Radhika Vekaria’s album ‘Warriors Of Light.’ The Los Angeles-based Vekaria was born in the UK. Her parents are from East Africa and her grandparents are from India.

Another artist receiving his first Grammy nomination is Mumbai-born musician Noshir Mody who is included in the Best Global Music Performance category.

He is part of the song ‘Kashira’ by Masa Takumi, along with Ron Korb and Dale Edward Chung. Mody, a self-taught musician, moved to the US at the age of 22, and “honed his guitar skills and immersed himself in the vibrant New York City jazz scene,” according to his website.

His latest album, ‘Abstractions’ is described as “a masterful blend of innovative compositions and improvisations that resonate emotionally.”

The 2025 Grammy Awards, officially known as the 67th Grammy Awards, will take place live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb 2, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.