Shankar Mahadevan and Ustad Zakir Hussain Earn Accolades

It is a moment of immense pride not just for the nation but also for the city of Navi Mumbai as the esteemed resident of Sector 29 Vashi and vocal maestro, Shankar Mahadevan, along with tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain, clinched the prestigious Grammy Award 2024 for their latest album 'This Moment.' The album, released on June 30, received widespread acclaim, propelling the Indian fusion band Shakti to prominence once again.

Comprising Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, V Selvaganesh, and Ganesh Rajagopalan, 'This Moment' won the Best Global Music Album award at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles. The announcement was made via Twitter, celebrating the band's achievement in the global music scene after 45 years since their inception.

'This Moment' features eight new compositions showcasing the remarkable talents of the musicians, including John McLaughlin on guitar, Zakir Hussain on tabla, Shankar Mahadevan as vocalist, V Selvaganesh on percussion, and Ganesh Rajagopalan on violin.

The citizens of Navi Mumbai expressed their heartfelt congratulations to Shankar Mahadevan and his team, with organizations like the Golden Sanskritik Mitra Mandal and the residents of Sector 29, Vashi extending warm wishes to the vocal maestro and his fellow band members.

The nation also lauds Ustad Zakir Hussain for his outstanding contributions to music. At the 66th Grammy Awards, Hussain clinched three accolades, including the 'Best Global Music Performance' for his composition 'Pashto' featuring Flutist Rakesh Chaurasia. Additionally, his collaboration on 'As We Speak' with Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia earned them the Grammy for the 'Best Contemporary Instrumental Album' category.

Ustad Zakir Hussain, a cultural icon and esteemed tabla maestro, had recently mesmerized audiences with his performance at the CIDCO Exhibition Center Auditorium during the Keli Festival. Ramachandran Kottuvala Keli, the founder of the festival and a resident of Navi Mumbai, extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the Grammy winners, particularly acknowledging Ustad Zakir Hussain's longstanding support for the festival over the years.

Expressing his admiration, Ramchandran stated, “We are elated by his achievements and extend our best wishes for the journey ahead. Zakirji stands as a legendary figure in Indian Music, reminiscent to a venerable banyan tree deeply rooted in tradition. His musical mastery transcends mere entertainment; it serves as a profound cultural and artistic legacy to the world."