Proud to represent India at Grammys: Sandeep Das

Sing Me Home features tunes composed or arranged by different global artists as it examines the ever-changing idea of home. He rues the fact that classical music is not accorded the respect that it deserves in India despite its growing popularity in the west. 

“It is third time lucky for us. I am very proud of who I am and where I come from be it culturally or musically. I wish there were more acknowledgment from my own country for the music that is deep-rooted and in our blood over glitz and glamour,” Sandeep told PTI over phone from LA just after his win. 

“It is not a complaint but merely a wish. I hope there is more awareness about traditional music,” he lamented. 

Das has been performing with Yo-Yo Ma, a respected and multiple Grammy-winning Cellist, since the inception of Silk Road Ensemble. 

The tabla player, who has a career spanning 23 years, says it took time for Silk Road Ensemble to find its due as people initially expected Yo-Yo Ma to play Bach but he was more interested in performing with people in ‘funny’ clothes. 

“Nothing grows in isolation and I realise that I have responsibility not just towards India but also to the people around the world who appreciate it,” he said. 

Das wishes more classical musicians from India feature on the Grammys winners list in future as besides him only Pt Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt have won in the classical category.

British-Indian star Dev Patel won the award for best supporting actor for his performance in Lion at the 70th British Academy Film Awards on Monday. Patel, 26, was greeted with a round of applause as he accepted the award. Lion is a non-fiction story based on the life of Saroo Brierley, who was adopted as a child by an Australian couple and desperately tries to find his family in India using Google maps. The actor seemed stunned after his name was announced, saying, “Wow, that just happened.” Patel said, “The film is about a love that transcends borders, race, colour, anything.”