Anushka still misses out on the Grammy in the 13th nomination.

Indian sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar faced disappointment yet again at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles. The ceremony, hosted at the Peacock Theatre, saw Shankar’s hopes dashed despite earning her 13th Grammy nomination, a testament to her enduring influence in global music.

This year, Shankar was nominated for her album “Chapter Three: We Return to Light” and the single “Debrak”, marking her 12th and 13th Grammy nods respectively. However, the honours ultimately went to international star Bad Bunny for his song “YHLQMDLG”, leaving Shankar empty-handed. She did not attend the awards ceremony, citing prior commitments on a tour in India, and shared updates with fans via social media.

Alongside Shankar, Shankar Mahadevan, another prominent figure in Indian music, represented the country at the Grammys. Mahadevan’s band Shakti received two nominations for their live album “Mind Explosion”. Unlike Shankar, he attended in person, interacting with international musicians and celebrating India’s presence on the global stage.

Additionally, Indo-American jazz composer and pianist Charu Suri earned a nomination for her album “Sayan”, further highlighting the diversity of Indian talent recognised this year.

The ceremony also brought historic wins and notable milestones. Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg finally entered the Grammy club. His documentary “Music for John Williams” won in the Best Music Film category, completing his collection of Emmy, Oscar, and Tony awards with this rare accolade.

Other highlights included:

Rufus Wainwright, who won his first Grammy in the Narrative Audiobook category for “Dalai Lama”, jokingly remarked during his acceptance speech, “I am not the Dalai Lama!”

The K-pop group Demon Hunters claimed the Best Song in Visual Media award for “Golden”.

The awards ceremony, hosted by music director Darren Criss on the early morning of 2 February, distributed accolades across 86 categories, making it one of the most talked-about music events of the year in Los Angeles.

Indian Grammy Nominations 2026

Despite the setbacks, the presence of multiple Indian musicians at the Grammys underscores the growing recognition of South Asian talent in the international music arena, blending traditional heritage with contemporary innovation.