India Goes Empty-Handed at Grammys 2026, Anoushka Shankar Misses Award
India faced disappointment at the Grammys 2026 as sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, nominated for Best Global Music Performance, missed out on the award.
Winners Announced in the US, India’s Hopes Dashed
The winners of the 68th Grammy Awards were announced on Monday in the United States. This year’s ceremony ended without a win for India. Indian-origin, globally acclaimed sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar had earned a nomination but did not clinch the trophy.
Category and Nomination Details
Anoushka Shankar was nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category for her track “Daybreak.” The song is the lead single from her album “Chapter III: We Return to Light.” The category featured artists from diverse musical traditions across the world, making it one of the most competitive segments this year.
Global Star Takes the Trophy
The award was won by Puerto Rican global pop and Latin music star Bad Bunny for his track “EoO.” The announcement confirmed that the Indian nomination narrowly missed out in a tightly contested category.
Why Anoushka Skipped the Ceremony
Anoushka Shankar was not present in Los Angeles for Grammy night. Ahead of the ceremony, she shared that she had chosen not to attend this year’s event. In her message, she said being nominated twice for the album and its lead single was a matter of pride, and she preferred spending time in India instead of engaging with the pressures of the awards season.
13th Grammy Nomination, Win Still Elusive
The nomination for “Daybreak” marked Anoushka Shankar’s 13th Grammy nomination, placing her among the most-nominated Indian artists in Grammy history. Despite multiple nominations across categories over the years, a Grammy win has so far remained out of reach for her.
Reaction from the Indian Music Community
The result drew mixed reactions from India’s music fraternity. Several musicians and critics noted that Anoushka Shankar’s work continues to strengthen the global presence of Indian classical and contemporary fusion music, regardless of the final outcome. Some experts also pointed to evolving jury preferences at the Grammys as a factor.
Anoushka Shankar said ahead of the ceremony:
“These are my 12th and 13th Grammy nominations, which in itself is a huge honour. This year, I consciously chose not to attend the awards night and to stay in India.”
The Grammys 2026 once again highlighted that while Indian artists are gaining consistent recognition on global platforms, converting nominations into wins remains a challenge. Anoushka Shankar’s continued presence at the Grammys reflects the growing international acceptance of Indian music, with expectations that India’s global footprint will expand further in the years ahead.
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