Indian-American pianist and composer Charu Suri has garnered a nomination for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category for her album, Shayan. The album is a unique blend of contemporary jazz structures interwoven with Indian tonalities. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Suri, who was born in South India and recognized as a piano prodigy from a young age, has fearlessly explored the fusion of genres throughout her career. She is known for blending diverse styles and integrating Indian ragas with various musical traditions. Shayan reflects this signature approach, showcasing a soulful voice that arises from the intersection of jazz and Indian musical elements. The nomination acknowledges Suri's skill in fostering cross-cultural dialogue through music.
Suri's work, Shayan, elegantly marries contemporary jazz structures with Indian tonalities. She has emerged as a significant figure in the world jazz scene by fusing jazz with Indian influences. Speaking about the nomination, Suri expressed that Shayan is her personal tribute to Indian ragas.
This year's Grammy nominations spotlight a growing influence of Indian music on the global stage. Several Indian and Indian-origin musicians have received nominations. Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, a frequent Grammy nominee, has secured two nominations for Best Global Music Album for Chapter III: We Return to Light, a collaborative album with sarod player Alam Khan and percussionist Sarathy Korwar, and Best Global Music Performance for her track Daybreak. The album is praised for weaving classical Indian instruments into contemporary, experimental soundscapes with notable emotional depth.
The legendary jazz-fusion ensemble Shakti, fronted by John McLaughlin and the late Zakir Hussain, also received two nominations. Their live album Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) is nominated for Best Global Music Album, and their live performance of Shrini's Dream (Live) is up for Best Global Music Performance.
Composer Siddhant Bhatia's album Sounds of Kumbha has also been nominated for Best Global Music Album. The album captures the spiritual soundscape of the Kumbh Mela festival. Bhatia's work combines ambient sound design with traditional Indian instrumentation. Notably, Charu Suri co-produced Sounds of Kumbha.
These nominations signify a broader trend: Indian classical, folk, and experimental music are increasingly shaping global conversations in contemporary music. The growing presence of Indian-origin nominees highlights the expanding influence of Indian music worldwide.
