Grammy 2024: Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain Get A Shoutout From Anupamaa's Rupali Ganguly

The reunited Shakti band bagged the prestigious Grammy Award in the Best Global Music Album category for its latest release, This Moment. The comeback after over 45 years has been marked with eight new songs composed by Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, V Selvaganesh and Ganesh Rajagopalan.

Following the achievement, people from all around the world have been sending the band members their best wishes. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to music maestro A R Rahman, Shakti’s feat has received a shoutout from many renowned personalities. Adding to the list, Anupamaa fame Rupali Ganguly also extended her heartfelt congratulations to Shankar Mahadevan and Zakir Hussani’s fusion band.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Rupali shared a picture of the Grammy winners from the stage. The popular television face congratulated and wished the legendary musicians. She penned, “Congratulations @shankar.mahadevan and @zakirhq9 on winning the Best Global Music Album award at the Grammy Awards. Truly a well deserved victory.”

Earlier, PM Modi lauded the musicians’ dedication and said that the country is proud of them. He wrote, “Congratulations @ZakirHtabla, @Rakeshflute, @Shankar_Live, @kanjeeraselva, and @violinganesh on your phenomenal success at the #GRAMMYs! Your exceptional talent and dedication to music have won hearts worldwide. India is proud! These achievements are a testament to the hardwork you keep putting in. It will also inspire the new generation of artists to dream big and excel in music.”

A R Rahman, on the other hand, posted a picture with the Grammy winners and noted, “It’s raining Grammys for India …Congrats Grammy winners #ustadzakirhussain @zakirhq9 (3grammys) @shankar.mahadevan (first Grammy) @kanjeeraselva (first Grammy)”

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Shakti, a revolutionary fusion band with Shankar Mahadevan as the vocalist and Zakir Hussain in Tabla, combines Indian classical music with jazz. It grabbed the top spot at the Grammy Awards fighting artists such as Susana Baca, Bokante, Burna Boy, and Davido. The album, This Moment, was released in 2023.

Shakti was founded in 1973 by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin in association with traditional Indian musicians. The founding members disbanded in 1978 and followed their solo careers for two decades. In the late 90s, the band was reformed with Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain, U Srinivas, John McLaughlin and Selvaganesh Vinayakram.

Shakti released several hit albums namely Shakti and A Handful of Beauty in 1976, and Natural Elements in 1977. The band marked its 50th anniversary in 2023 with a massive tour across 27 cities. The tour included 17 performances in the US and featured special solo opening acts by top artists like Béla Fleck, Bill Frisell, Jerry Douglas and John Scofield.