Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Sons Bring India to the Grammy Spotlight

Indian classical music claimed a moment of global pride at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, as sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, won their first-ever Grammy Award as composers for the album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The album won in the Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording category, placing the celebrated trio among the few Indians to receive a Grammy in 2026. The recognition marks a significant milestone not only for the artists but also for India’s classical music tradition on the world stage.

Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a deeply contemplative project that blends spoken wisdom with music, reflecting lifelong values of peace, compassion, mindfulness and universal responsibility.

The win also marked a historic first for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who received his maiden Grammy Award at the age of 90. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate and one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders, the Dalai Lama was honoured for a work rooted in humanity and global harmony. The award was accepted on his behalf by musician Rufus Wainwright at the ceremony.

Reacting to the honour, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “As a family, we are deeply humbled to share our collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on this special album. His message of peace, compassion and hope continues to inspire not only our music, but our lives.”

For Amaan Ali Bangash, the project transcended professional achievement and became an emotional and artistic journey. Calling it “a profoundly moving experience,” he said it reaffirmed the power of art to uplift the human spirit and described working on the album as “both a joy and a privilege.”

Echoing these sentiments, Ayaan Ali Bangash highlighted the deeper purpose behind the music. “We consciously sought to reflect His Holiness’s values through sound,” he said, adding, “May this music serve as a reminder that peace, kindness and hope are not only possible, but essential.”

For Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, the Grammy win stands as both a personal landmark and a collective celebration of India’s rich and enduring musical heritage.