“Sounds of Kumbha”, a spiritual music album inspired by the Mahakumbha festival and presented by singer-composer Siddhant Bhatia, has earned a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category at the 68th Grammy Awards.
The 12-track musical documentation of last year’s Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, commissioned by Uttar Pradesh government. The pilgrimage, during its 45-day run in January and February this year, saw millions converge for a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.
The nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards were announced last week.
Featuring over 50 artists from India and abroad, the music album aims to capture the spirit of the Mahakumbha, the mega religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.
What makes the nomination extra special is that Bhatia’s album competes in the Best Global Music Album category against Anoushka Shankar and the Shakti Band, making it an all-Indian face-off at the 68th Grammy Awards.
Trained under Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan, Bhatia has also received a second nomination for his album Shayan in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category. “I am overwhelmed. Gods and saints have blessed me on the global stage,” he said.
Commissioned by the Uttar Pradesh government as a cultural initiative, the album has been produced in partnership with Network18 and HistoryTV18, and is globally distributed by Universal Music India.
Described by critics as a sonic memoir of the Mahakumbha, the album blends live field recordings from Prayagraj, ancient mantras and binaural beats by Bhatia and SoulTrax Studios in New Delhi.
Five Grammy winners joined the project, with Jim “Kimo” West and Ron Korb visiting India forthe first time. The album also features violinist Kala Ramnath, pianist Charu Suri, vocalists Aditya Gadhvi, Kanika Kapoor and Grammy nominee Madi Das, alongside spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The tracks were mixed and mastered by Grammy winner PA Deepak.
ALSO READ: Anupam Kher-starrer ‘Calorie’ to premiere at International Film Festival of India
Commissioned by the Uttar Pradesh government as a cultural initiative, the album has been produced in partnership with Network18 and HistoryTV18, and is globally distributed by Universal Music India.
Bhatia said the Grammy nomination was a recognition of the Mahakumbha’s message of peace and unity.
