New Delhi:
Acclaimed sitar player, singer-songwriter and composer Anushka Shankar earned not one, but two Grammy nominations this year. his album Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before the Dawn is nominated for Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album, while her collaboration with British multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier on the track A Rock Somewhere is up for Best Global Music Performance.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Hardika Gupta, Anushka talks about her journey, creative process and what these nominations mean to her.
Anushka, speaking about her double Grammy nomination, said, “It feels great when the work you’ve put so much effort into gets recognised.” He said, “Although I have developed a viewpoint over the years that awards and nominations are not true indicators of my work, a Grammy nomination feels really good and is exciting.”
Anushka’s nomination for Best Global Musical Performance comes from her collaboration with Jacob Collier in A Rock Somewhere. Reflecting on how this collaboration came to life, she describes it as an “enriching” experience.
He said, “Collaborating with Jacob was truly an enriching experience. We both deeply appreciate the blending of diverse musical traditions and this track allowed us to explore that synergy. The process was organic, each of us brought their unique perspectives to create something that resonates across all cultures.”
When asked about her approach towards music making, especially when it comes to blending Indian classical music with other genres, Anushka talked about her love for collaboration and the element of surprise it brings. of. She added, “I think the reason I like collaboration is because I like the surprises I get from another human being. I can certainly write a piece of music alone in my room. But if I And I’m coming up with ideas, their ideas are obviously different than mine and so the piece itself may be bigger than just something I made, it just illuminates something and that excitement is very inspiring. .
Anushka Shankar’s album Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before the Dawn Also earned a nomination for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album. “This album is the second part of a trilogy of mini albums I’ve been working on. Chapter II: How Dark Before the Dawn represents a deeper exploration of the ambient and neoclassical soundscapes that underlie my traditional work. It’s a departure from,” he explained. ,
He added, “Collaborating with British producer Peter Raeburn, we began sessions in Los Angeles and London, taking a minimalist approach to the sitar. This allowed me to move into new sonic territory, creating music that felt peaceful. And is both therapeutic.”
Reflecting on her growth as an artist, Anushka said that there is a difference in how she views her career now compared to when she first started performing as a teenager. She shared, “I started performing when I was a teenager. The experience of doing it as a teenager was very nerve-wracking because I was still finding myself and my voice. But now, at 40, As a woman, I feel like I have a lot more ownership over my career. The whole process of how I make music and manage my career has completely evolved and changed.”
One of the most exciting aspects of a rock somewhere It is the contribution of Varijashree Venugopal, who also received a Grammy nomination for his debut. Anushka expressed her admiration for the young artiste, saying, “Working with Varijashree was a wonderful experience. Her singing ability and deep understanding of Indian classical music added a rich layer to the track. She brought a fresh perspective, Which accomplished our goal beautifully.”
The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Along with Anushka, Radhika Vekaria’s Warriors of Light and Chandrika Tandon’s Triveni have also been nominated in the Best New Age category.
