India’s Chandrika Tandon wins best new age album at Grammys 2025

India-born Chandrika Krishnamoorthy Tandon has bagged the Grammy for her album Triveni under the category for the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album at the award ceremony held in Los Angeles. Trevor Noah hosted the 67th Grammy Awards which aired Sunday night on CBS and Paramount+.

Tandon achieved her second Grammy nomination when she was named during Grammy 2025 nominations. She bagged her first Grammy nomination for the 2009 album Soul Call.

India’s Chandrika Tandon bags her first Grammy

Hours after receiving the award with her collaborators Japanese cellist Eru Matsumotu and South African flautist Wouter Kellerman, Tandon expressed her gratitude on social media. She congratulated other nominees in the category and thanked them for their music.

During her acceptance speech, Tandon spoke about the importance of music in the world. “Music is love, music is light, and music is laughter and let’s all be surrounded by love, light, and laughter. Thank you for the music and thank you to everyone who makes music.”

She also shared her pride and honor in bringing global limelight to “ancient Indian healing mantras”.

Chandrika Tandon’s Grammy-winning album: Triveni

A collaboration of three artists - Kellerman, Matsumoto and Tandon - Triveni is about the coming together of diverse cultures. The name is derived from the Hindi word Triveni - the confluence of three rivers. The album features seven tracks. Each song has its own story and adds up to the album’s theme of healing resonance.

Soon after bagging her second Grammy nominations, Tandon had said in a press statement, “The album is a true confluence of three artistic spirits united in a higher purpose of music for healing. These mantras hold profound meaning, recognizing our inner fullness – ancient words with vibrations far beyond our comprehension. This nomination will allow more people to experience their own healing power.”

Appreciating her victory, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her on social media and recalled that he met her in 2023. “We take great pride in her accomplishments as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and of course, music! It is commendable how she has remained passionate about Indian culture and has been working to popularize it. She is an inspiration for several people.”

The musician responded to the PM’s post. “I feel grateful and privileged at every level. thank you to the divine for setting this path and thank you PM Modi for such a warm message.”

She also posted a reply to the message from Indian Home Minister Amit Shah. Thanking him, she wrote, “What a privilege and honor to bring ancient healing Indian mantras to the global stage.”

Chandrika Tandon

Tandon has been producing music for a long time now. Under her non-profit music label Soul Chants Music, she has released six albums. Ancient Vedic chants inspire her music. According to her website, she has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Nassau Coliseum, Times Square, and Washington DC’s National Mall.

Chandrika Tandon is the elder sister of Former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Indira Nooyi. They completed their education together in Chennai before Tandon moved to the premiere management school, Indian Institue of Management Ahmedabad. She was the first Indian woman to make partner at the management consulting company McKinsey. IIM Ahmedabad and Madras Christian College have both named Tandon as the inaugural Distinguished Alumnus.

India at the Grammys

Before Chandrika Tandon, India has had several musicians honored with the coveted Grammy Awards. There are more than 25 Grammys to the country’s credit. Late musician Ravi Shankar holds the maximum number of Grammys in India - he has five of those to his credit. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has four to his credit while Ricky Kej holds three Grammys to his credit. AR Rahman, Gulzar and Shankar Mahadevan also hold Grammys to their credit.

Source: Forbes
--Agencies