Chandrika Tandon Shines at the 2025 Grammy Awards: A Historic Win for Indian-Origin Artist

A Night of Music, Celebration, and Surprises The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, was a star-studded affair that celebrated the biggest names in the music industry. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the prestigious event featured electrifying performances by Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and more. While the night was filled with memorable moments, one of the biggest highlights was Indian-American vocalist Chandrika Tandon’s historic win. Tandon clinched the Grammy Award for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for her mesmerizing album Triveni, marking a significant achievement for Indian-origin artists on the global stage. Chandrika Tandon’s Triumph Over Stiff Competition Chandrika Tandon’s victory was particularly remarkable as she triumphed over strong contenders like Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej and renowned sitarist Anoushka Shankar. Triveni stood out in a competitive category that also featured Break of Dawn by Ricky Kej, Opus by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn by Anoushka Shankar, and Warriors of Light by Radhika Vekaria. Tandon shared this honor with her collaborators—South African flautist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto. Together, they crafted a stunning fusion of ancient Indian mantras, flute, and cello, creating a bridge between cultures through the universal language of music. Global Recognition and Celebrations The news of Tandon’s victory was met with widespread celebration, with congratulatory messages pouring in from around the world. The Consulate General of India in New York took to their official X account to extend their wishes: "Congratulations to Ms. Chandrika Tandon @chandrikatandon on winning the Grammy Award @RecordingAcad in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for Triveni! A mesmerizing fusion of ancient mantras, flute, and cello, Triveni bridges cultures and traditions through the universal language of music." Her win marks yet another milestone for Indian-origin musicians, following in the footsteps of legends like Ravi Shankar, A.R. Rahman, and Zakir Hussain. Other Major Highlights of the 2025 Grammys Apart from Tandon’s historic victory, the 2025 Grammys saw several other notable events and surprises.

• Beyoncé emerged as a major winner, taking home Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter and *Best Country Album—a groundbreaking moment for a Black female artist in the country genre.
• Kendrick Lamar won big with Record of the Year and Song of the Year for Not Like Us.
• Rising star Chappell Roan was honored as Best New Artist.

 

• Sabrina Carpenter won Best Pop Vocal Album for Short n’ Sweet and Best Pop Solo Performance for Espresso.
• Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars claimed Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Die With a Smile.
• Jon Batiste’s American Symphony was awarded Best Music Film.

Drama and Unexpected Moments The night wasn’t without its share of controversy and surprises. Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori were reportedly escorted out of the event by police. Meanwhile, Will Smith make his much-anticipated return to an awards stage for the first time since the infamous 2022 Oscars slap, introducing a tribute to music legend Quincy Jones. A Defining Moment for Indian-Origin Artists Chandrika Tandon’s Grammy win is more than just an individual triumph—it’s a moment of pride for Indian-origin musicians and a testament to the growing influence of diverse cultural sounds in mainstream music. As Triveni continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, Tandon’s success paves the way for more artists to blend traditional and contemporary music on a global stage. With the 2025 Grammys now in the books, the music world eagerly looks forward to another year of groundbreaking albums, powerful performances, and more historic wins!   (With inputs from agencies)