Chennai-born New Yorker Chandrika Tandon wins Grammy for Best New Age Album

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Chandrika Tandon, 2025 Grammy award winner. PHOTO: Courtesy Chandrika Tandon

Chennai-born Indian-American businesswoman and musician Chandrika Tandon, 71, of New York, claimed a Grammy award at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held Feb. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, emceed by talk-show host and comedian Trevor Noah.

The singer, songwriter, and producer won the coveted award in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category for her album ‘Triveni.’ This marks her first Grammy win and second nomination, lending to her reputation in the world of spiritual and healing music.

“Music is love, music ignites the light within all of us, and, even in our darkest days, music spreads joy and laughter,” Tandon said upon receiving the award. “Congratulations to all the other nominees in our category. Thank you for the music, and thank you for each and everyone that creates and supports the music; may all our lives be enveloped in love, light, and laughter,” she added.

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‘Triveni’ is a seven-track album and brings together Tandon, Grammy-winning South African flutist Wouter Kellerman, and Japanese American cellist Eru Matsumoto with the aim to create a deeply meditative musical experience. The album blends ancient mantras with the soothing sounds of flute and cello, serving as a bridge between cultures and traditions, the press release from Tandon said.

The album’s name is meant to symbolize the confluence of three rivers, which metaphorically represents the fusion of the artists’ diverse traditions.

For many years, Tandon has been melding Sanskrit chants and western musical traditions for large choral groups, and her compositions have recently been performed by her and others at the World Cultural Festival and Lincoln Center. She is Artist in Residence for the Young People’s Chorus of New York City Artist and received a New York State Council on the Arts grant to compose Sanskrit chants for choral ensembles.

Music producer George Varghese took to his Instagram handle to congratulate Chandrika Tandon and the team for the big win.

Music producer put up a group photo at the Grammys on Instagram. PHOTO: Screenshot from Instagram via ANI

Sharing a group picture from the Arena, he wrote, “And the winner is !!!!! Wouter Kellerman Chandrika Tandon and Eru Matsumoto and my sister from another mother Tholsi Pillay!!” adding, “Congratulations to the Dream Team for winning the Grammy Awards for the BEST NEW AGE album for their Album ‘TRIVENI’ . I am ever grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of your Video Team but more than that .. always treating me as part of your family over the years.”

This year marks Tandon’s second Grammy nomination, with her first in 2010 for her album ‘Om Namo Narayana: Soul Call’.

She was nominated this year alongside some prominent names, including producer Ricky Kej, sitar player Anoushka Shankar, and Indian-origin British artist Radhika Vekaria.

In a social media post earlier, Tandon wrote, “We wouldn’t be here except for the incredible support of so many! There are such spectacular fellow musicians I met along the way — many nominees and many not — and I want to tell you ALL how much joy you created for me and the world with your artistry. Thank you.” She also gave a shout out to her collaborators Eru Matsumoto and Wouter Kellerman.

Chennai-born Chandrika Tandon wins Grammy for Best New Age AlbuM ‘Triveni’. PHOTO: Instagram @chandrikatandon

Beyond her musical achievements, Tandon is known for her philanthropic endeavors. She is also a successful businesswoman. The first Indian-American woman elected partner at McKinsey, Tandon is the founder of Tandon Capital Associates and chairs the Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation. She also serves as a trustee of NYU, chairs the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and has supported numerous business and community education programs.

Among her many honors, Tandon has received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, NYU’s Gallatin Medal, and The Town Hall’s Friend of the Arts Award.

She has released six albums under Soul Chants Music and performed at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Times Square, and Washington D.C.’s National Mall.