Grammy nomination for Raghav Mehta's ‘Sounds of Kumbha’ spotlights India's spiritual sonic heritage

Mumbai: India’s cultural music project 'Sounds of Kumbha', created for Mahakumbha 2025, has earned recognition in the Best Global Music Album category at the 68th Grammy Awards 2026, marking a significant global milestone for contemporary Indian music. Composer-producer Raghav Mehta, a key creative force behind the project, is closely associated with the nomination.

The Grammy nod places India’s spiritual and cultural sonic heritage on the international stage. The album blends field recordings from the Mahakumbha with ancient chants, contemporary world music arrangements and immersive soundscapes. Artistically led by Siddhant Bhatia, the project features production by Raghav Mehta and contributions from over 50 Indian and international artists, including Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Kanika Kapoor, Aditya Gadhvi and Raja Kumari.

'Sounds of Kumbha' was enabled by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in partnership with Network18, HistoryTV18 and Universal Music Group and has been widely described as a “global spiritual memoir” of one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

Raghav Mehta, who has worked with leading Indian film studios and global brands, has previously received a Webby Award for Best Original Music. The Grammy recognition is being seen as a breakthrough moment for Indian producers blending tradition with global sound design and underscores the growing international appetite for modern Indian music rooted in cultural heritage.