Indian-American vocalist Chandrika Tandon, sister of Indra Nooyi, wins Grammy for 'Triveni'

Indian-American vocalist and entrepreneur Chandrika Tandon has won the Grammy award for the album 'Triveni' in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category, beating former Grammy award winners Ricky Kej and Anoushka Shankar who were also nominated for the same award. 

Tandon, also a global business leader and the older sister of former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi, won the award along with her collaborator's South African flautist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto, as per PTI.

"Music is love, music is light, and music is laughter and let's all be surrounded by love, light, and laughter. Thank you for the music, and thank you to everyone who makes music," she said in the award acceptance speech. This was Tandon's second Grammy nomination after 2009's 'Soul Call' and first win. 

'It feels amazing,' said the musician, who grew up in Chennai, in a backstage interview with the Recording Academy after winning the Grammy.

Other nominees in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category were: 'Break of Dawn'  Ricky Kej, 'Opus'  Ryuichi Sakamoto, 'Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn'  Anoushka Shankar, and 'Warriors Of Light'  Radhika Vekaria.

"We had such wonderful nominees in the category. The fact that we won this is really an extra special moment for us. Some fabulous musicians were nominated with us," she added. Just like its name, which means the confluence of three holy Indian rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, 'Triveni' is a collaboration of three artists Tandon, Kellerman, and Matsumoto who represent diverse cultures. 

Released on August 30, 2024, each of the seven tracks on 'Triveni' tells its own story while contributing to its overarching theme of healing resonance. The songs are: 'Pathway to Light', 'Chant in A', 'Journey Within', 'Aether's Serenade', 'Ancient Moon', 'Open Sky', and 'Seeking Shakti'.

According to Tandon's official website, the album weaves ancient Vedic chants with melodic flute and resonant cello, creating a reflective soundscape that fosters mindfulness, self-discovery, and connection. 

"This harmonious blend of Indian classical music, New Age ambiance, and global traditions appeals to a wide audience while staying deeply rooted in cultural authenticity."

Tandon, who has three more albums to her credit, has performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the World Culture Festivals across Europe and India.