Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan returned to India in the early hours of February 8 after winning the Best Global Music Album award at the 2024 Grammys in Los Angeles with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain's fusion band Shakti. He received a grand welcome at the airport with flowers and chocolates.
Shankar was overjoyed to find his loved ones at the airport with gifts. He hugged them warmly and posed for paparazzi, proudly sporting a sweatshirt bearing his band's name, while giving a shoutout to his bandmates.
Talking to media at the airport, Shankar Mahadevan said, ‘Well, what can I say? This is a very, very special moment for me and all of my band members. For me, it's a dream come true. After touring for 25 years, here we got the Grammys.’
After winning the coveted award, Shankar Mahadevan took to Instagram and shared his first photo with the award. He wrote, ‘WE DID IT. I never imagined that a band from where I have learnt my music and my musical aesthetics would be the band with whom I would eventually perform and win a Grammy. This is the moment from which I can easily say that dreams do come true. Shakti was a dream which came true! thank you Almighty for making this happen! It's truly THIS MOMENT.’
At the 2024 Grammys, Shakti secured the win for their album "This Moment," released the previous year. Competing against artists such as Susana Baca, Bokante, Burna Boy, and Davido, the band emerged victorious. Shakti comprises guitarist John McLaughlin, percussionist V Selvaganesh, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan.
In his acceptance speech, Shankar said, ‘Thank you boys. Thank you God, family, friends and India. India, we are proud of you.’ He also had a special mention for his wife.
‘Last but not the least, I would like to dedicate this award to my wife whom every note of my music is dedicated to,’ he added.
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