Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, along with his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, has been honoured at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards as a composer on the award-winning album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The legendary sarod maestro and his sons emerged among the only Indians to receive a Grammy this year, marking a significant global milestone for Indian classical music.
The album won the Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording, a historic achievement that also saw His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama receive his first-ever Grammy Award at the age of 90.
Dalai Lama Receives First Grammy at 90
Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama celebrates a lifetime devoted to spreading
messages of peace, compassion, and universal responsibility. The award was accepted on behalf of the Dalai Lama by musician Rufus Wainwright during the ceremony.
Reflecting on the recognition, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility. I truly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I’m grateful that this Grammy recognition can help spread these messages more widely.”
An Album Rooted in Reflection, Compassion, and Music
Produced by multi-Grammy and Emmy Award-winning producer Kabir Sehgal, Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a contemplative spoken-word album that blends spiritual teachings with music. The project explores themes of inner peace, human unity, global responsibility, and compassion.
The album features a diverse ensemble of global artists, including Andra Day, Ted Nash, Debi Nova, Maggie Rogers, Tony Succar, and Rufus Wainwright, creating a powerful dialogue between sound, silence, and reflection.
‘A Guiding Light for Our Music and Lives,’ Says Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Speaking about the collaboration, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan shared, “As a family, we are deeply humbled to share our collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the special album Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has been a guiding light for us for many years, and his message of peace, compassion, and hope continues to inspire not only our music, but our lives. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness on this great honour.”
Amaan Ali Bangash: ‘A Profoundly Moving Experience’
Amaan Ali Bangash described the project as emotionally transformative, saying, “To hear the reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama interwoven with music has been a profoundly moving experience—one that reminds us of the immense power of art to uplift the human spirit. Creating this project alongside our dear collaborator Kabir Sehgal has been both a joy and a privilege. This truly marks a momentous occasion for us.”
Ayaan Ali Bangash on the Album’s Global Message
Ayaan Ali Bangash emphasised the album’s universal intent, adding, “Together, with the contributions of many extraordinary artists, we sought to create a project that celebrates the values His Holiness embodies and shares them with listeners around the world. We are deeply grateful to every artist who lent their voice, spirit, and creativity to this work. May this music serve as a reminder that peace, kindness, and hope are not only possible, but essential. This is truly a historic moment, and we feel profoundly blessed to be part of this album with His Holiness.”
A Landmark Moment for Indian Classical Music
The collaboration represents a rare artistic and spiritual convergence, with Indian classical music serving as a meditative framework for the Dalai Lama’s timeless teachings. For Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash, the Grammy win continues their lifelong commitment to using music as a bridge between cultures, traditions, and shared human values.
This recognition stands as a defining milestone for Indian classical musicians on the global stage, reaffirming that music rooted in tradition can resonate powerfully with the modern world — and with humanity at large.
