EXCLUSIVE: It’s very exciting to be nominated for Grammy again- Anoushka Shankar

Musical legend Late Pt Ravi Shankar brought Indian classical music on the international platforms. And now, his daughter is carrying on his legacy on her own terms. Ace Sitarist Anoushka Shankar took baby steps into the world of music at a tender age of four, and now she is a household name among world music enthusiasts and classical listeners alike. Much has changed since Anoushka released her first album when she was only 14. Now, the sitar virtuoso has five Grammys nominations to her credit. The 34-year-old composer has another feather in her cap, as she is the first-ever Indian musician to present awards at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

In a candid conversation, Anoushka shared her love for music, her latest Grammy nomination for her album 'Home' and much more...

You are the first ever Indian musician to be a presenter at the Grammy's. Please share your experience.

I will be presenting a group of awards at the Grammy’s next week. I’ve had fun planning my trip and getting my friend Manish Arora to make a custom dress for me, which is so beautiful. I wasn’t planning to go all the way from London for the ceremony when I was nominated. So now that I’m presenting, I’m happy I will be there. I’ve been to the Grammy’s several times for my past nominations and it has always a fun experience.

You have been nominated for the Grammy's for the fifth time. How does it feel?

It’s very exciting to be nominated again, and especially fulfilling to have a record nominated that I worked hard to release. I deeply wanted to make a classical album after many years and produced it myself and recorded it in my home. It was very personal and I’m so pleased it’s had this kind of response.

Tell us about 'Home'. What was the idea and inspiration behind it?

The album is a heartfelt offering to my father, who passed away three years ago. I felt very connected to him playing the classical ragas he had taught me. And I wanted to put this feeling and experience into a record.

It’s been 15 years since ‘Anoushka’. What do you to say about your journey?

‘Anoushka’ was my first album, almost 18 years ago! Saying that makes me feel old, but I guess I started young. I’ve worked hard and tried to approach my career with as much honesty and integrity as possible. I’ve also had many blessings along the way and feel very fortunate to have a career that speaks so much to my soul.

It was reported that this was the first time you played classical ragas after the demise of your father, who was a music legend himself. It must have been quite emotional. Tell us about it.

It’s hard to answer this question, as common as it is, because it was simply my life experience and therefore hard to compare to alternatives which I did not experience. It was an intense and amazing, though often challenging, experience to learn from a master and have him also be my father. There were also many incredible life experiences I had from very young by travelling and being exposed to arts and culture the way I was.

What are the things in the pipeline?

In a few weeks,my new album ‘Land of Gold’ will be releasing worldwide and I’ll embark on a tour that will take me through North America, Europe, India and the Middle East. It’s very new and different music and I’m planning the shows in a very different way than I have in the past. It’s creative and exciting and I can’t wait to put the show on the road!