AR Rahman, Sonu Nigam, Gulzar: Indian singers who have won Grammy Awards

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards took place today in Las Vegas. With several renowned personalities from music in attendance, MGM Garden Grand Arena witnessed a star-studded affair as they put their best foot forward on the red carpet. While the Awards is mostly dominated by the Western and the Hollywood industry, Indian singers and composers too have made their presence felt and have won big at the Grammys. Let’s take a look at 5 Indian singers who have brought the prestigious award home in the past!

Back in 1968, late Indian composer Pandit Ravi Shankar became the very first Indian to win the Grammy Award for the album ‘West Meets East' in the ‘Best Chamber Music Performance’ category. He went on to bring the prestigious award home in 1973, and 2002 for his work in ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ and ‘Full Circle: Carnegie Hall 2000’. Fast forward to 2013, Ravi was even honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his incredible contribution in classical music.

Known as one of the most influential and successful playback singers of Indian cinema, Sonu Nigam too bagged a Grammy Award for his commendable work in the category of 'Mubarakan Album' for 'Mubarakan' in 2017. He is also the most recent recipient of the coveted gilded gramophone.

Zakir Hussain needs no introduction. Known for his tabla virtuoso in the post-independence era, Zakir was nominated for the Grammy not just once but four times. However, he took the coveted award home in 2008, in the ‘Best Contemporary World Music Album’ category for his ‘Global Drum Project’

Music maestro of India, AR Rahman has a noteworthy approach to his music style. Among his long list of accolades are two Oscar Awards, and two Grammy Awards. Speaking of Grammys, the singer won two titles in 2008 in the ‘Best Compilation Soundtrack Album’ and ‘Best Song Written for Visual Media’ category for the Oscar-winning film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

Like Ravi Shankar, Zubin Mehta too won the Grammy award multiple times. Back in 1981, Zubin was honoured with the prestigious award in ‘Best Classical Performance – Instrumental Soloist Or Soloists (With Orchestra)’ and ‘Best Engineered Recording, Classical’ category for the ‘Isaac Stern 60th Anniversary Celebration’. In 1982, he won the award for ‘Verdi: Arias (Leontyne Price Sings Verdi)’ in the ‘Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance’ category. Fast forward to 1990, Zubin won two more Grammy awards the same night in the ‘Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance’ and ‘Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist (With Orchestra)’ category.