CHENNAI, February 25 – Ganesh Rajagopalan, the acclaimed violinist of fusion band Shakti, received a warm welcome upon his return to Chennai after the band’s Grammy Award win. Shakti took home the Grammy for ‘Best Global Music Album’ with their release, ‘This Moment’.
Rajagopalan, a vital part of the violin duo Ganesh Kumaresh, is hailed for his virtuosity in Indian classical music, a legacy spanning over five decades. His work with Shakti, as well as collaborations with legends like Ilaiyaraaja, AR Rahman, and M M Keeravani, has cemented his role as a pioneer in blending Carnatic music with diverse genres.
“Indian classical music has been integral to my journey, and this win is its crowning glory as we continue to create musical masterpieces for global audiences,” said Rajagopalan, reflecting on the Grammy win. “I feel so happy.”
Rajagopalan is not only a performer but also a composer, educator, and the founder of the Eswara School of Music. He shared this moment with other Tamil Nadu natives on Shakti’s Grammy-winning team, stating, “Three from Tamil Nadu- Shankar Mahadevan, Selvaganesh, and myself- are part of the Grammy-winning team. I consider this as a pride for the whole of Tamil Nadu and India.”
Rajagopalan expressed gratitude to his Shakti bandmates, mentors Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin. Underscoring the transcendent nature of music, Rajagopalan highlighted, “Music is beyond all boundaries…the Grammy-winning album ‘This Moment’ was created during the COVID pandemic by musicians of the Shakti band who were located in various places.”
About Ganesh Rajagopalan: Ganesh Rajagopalan is an internationally recognized violinist known for his mastery of Indian classical music and boundary-pushing collaborations. He and his brother, Kumaresh, form the violin duo Ganesh Kumaresh. Rajagopalan is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and is part of the Grammy-winning fusion band Shakti.