Three Indian artists nominated for Grammys

Kolkata: When it comes to a Grammy Award, the only two Indians who can boast of holding the prestigious honour are Pundit Ravi Shankar and Pundit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. As for nominations, India has done slightly better this year. Three Indian artists have been nominated in different categories.

Classical Musician, Debashish Bhattacharya may come from a family of classical vocalists, but it's his devotion to the raaga from the age of four that seems to have got him where he is - a recognition that will go open many a blind eye even in his motherland.

Debashish's modification of the Hawain slide guitar has resulted not only in a trio of inventions called Chaturangi, Gandharvi and Anandi, but also in appreciation enough from the Grammy jury to give him a nomination in the best traditional world music album category for his album Calcutta Chronicles.

"When the nomination arrived I felt that I'm in teh semi-final of the football world cup. But the very next moment I thought that the credit for the nomination goes to god as he has bestowed talent upon me through my parent. And the music I know is through my Gurus so I thought why should I be proud, music should be proud of its own achievement." said Debashish.

Jazz Musician, Louis Banks has been nominated in the contemporary jazz category. Jazz is a genre that the Grammy jury is only too familiar with. And for it's an honour that an Indian jazz artist has recognition at a level serious enough for any critic to take note.

But for Louis — even though he's spent his whole life in this genre, he is still technical about his role in both Miles from India where he plays part producer and floating point by John Iclaughlin where he plays the piano.

"For those who have made that kind of a comment that I as an individual have got the nomination, I'd like to clarify that it's not me, it's the album that has been nominated at the Grammys," said Louis.

The third artist to be nominated this year is the veteran Hindustani classical vocalist, Lakshmi Shankar for her album Dancing in the Light.

Even though the nomination may have come in her 80's what's common about all three nominees this year is that they shed light on the global regard for Indian music as well as the expanding know how of even its neiche genres.

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