Dalai Lama’s First Grammy Nomination at 90: A Spiritual Message in Music
At the age of 90, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has reached a remarkable milestone — earning his first-ever Grammy nomination. His spoken-word album Meditation: Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been shortlisted in the category of Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording for the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026.
The album is a soulful blend of the Tibetan spiritual leader’s teachings on compassion, inner peace, and emotional wellbeing, set against original compositions by legendary sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.
Adding to its richness, the project features contributions from international artists such as Andra Day, Maggie Rogers, Tony Succar, Ted Nash, Debi Nova, and Rufus Wainwright, with Grammy winner Kabir Sehgal leading the production.
Reacting to the honour, Amjad Ali Khan expressed deep gratitude: “Our album is close to our hearts. It brings together the spoken wisdom of His Holiness with original music that encourages stillness, reflection, and compassion.” He described the collaboration as a privilege, highlighting how the music was designed to evoke serenity and connection.
The Dalai Lama’s nomination places him alongside notable contenders including Kathy Carver, Trevor Noah, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Fab Morvan. Yet, beyond competition, the recognition itself is a cultural moment — a reminder of the timeless relevance of compassion and peace in today’s world.
