In a Grammy ceremony dominated by outspoken politics, powerful performances, and cultural statements, one of the night’s most quietly historic moments came from an unexpected corner.
At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, the Dalai Lama, now 90, won his first-ever Grammy, taking home the award for Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording. The ceremony was held at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
A Spiritual Win on a Politically Loud Night
The win came during a night where artists like Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and Lady Gaga shaped a ceremony marked by strong political undertones and repeated calls of “ICE Out.”
Against that charged backdrop, the Dalai Lama’s victory stood out — calm, reflective, and rooted in spirituality rather than spectacle.
He won for Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, an audio project built around his teachings on compassion, peace, and collective responsibility.
Who Accepted the Award
The Grammy was accepted on stage by Rufus Wainwright, who appears on the album alongside Maggie Rogers and Andra Day.
“It was a privilege to participate in this project,” Wainwright said while accepting the award. “It is an honour to receive this recognition on behalf of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose wisdom is at the heart of this work.”
A Globally Collaborative Album
The album was produced by Kabir Sehgal, a multi-Grammy and Emmy Award-winning producer. Its musical collaborators reflect a truly global lineup, including:
- Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
- His sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash
- Multi-Grammy winner Ted Nash
- Grammy-nominated Costa Rican singer-songwriter Debi Nova
- Peruvian-American percussionist and producer Tony Succar
The result is a meditative audio experience blending spoken wisdom with global musical traditions.
Dalai Lama’s Statement After the Win
In a statement released after the ceremony, the Dalai Lama framed the Grammy not as a personal achievement, but as a shared responsibility.
“I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility,” he said. “I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility. Peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the well-being of all eight billion human beings.”
Strong Field, Historic First Win
The Dalai Lama emerged victorious in a competitive category that included:
- Ketanji Brown Jackson
- Trevor Noah
- Kathy Garver
- Fab Morvan
At 90, he became one of the oldest first-time Grammy winners in the ceremony’s history.
Indian Artists Go Home Empty-Handed
Despite the Dalai Lama’s win, it was otherwise a quiet night for India at the Grammys. Several Indian and Indian-origin artists were nominated but did not take home trophies.
Among them was sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, nominated for Best Global Music Performance and Best Global Music Album for Chapters III: We Return to Light — marking her 11th and 12th Grammy nominations.
Others who missed out included Madurai-based pianist Charu Suri, Indo-jazz collective Shakti, and debut nominee Siddhant Bhatia for Sounds of Kumbha.
Anoushka Shankar on Skipping the Grammys
Currently on tour in India, Shankar addressed her absence from the ceremony in a candid Facebook post, explaining the emotional and financial toll of the Grammy campaign cycle.
She wrote about the pressure of spending thousands on travel, promotion, networking, and red carpets — often only to leave empty-handed — adding that while a win would be joyful, it ultimately doesn’t matter “in a deeper context.”
Her words resonated with many independent and global artists navigating the same system.
Final Words
In a night filled with protest chants, political jokes, and chart-topping stars, the Dalai Lama’s Grammy win offered a moment of stillness — a reminder that reflection, compassion, and shared humanity can hold space even on music’s loudest stage.
At 90, his first Grammy wasn’t just a trophy — it was a statement.
