Highlights:
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Anoushka Shankar did not attend the 2026 Grammy Awards despite two nominations
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The sitar virtuoso has now received 14 Grammy nominations over her career
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She said the emotional and financial strain of awards campaigns affects mental health
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Shankar stated that winning a Grammy does not matter “in a deeper context”
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She stayed in India, touring and working closely with her band
Renowned sitar musician Anoushka Shankar has explained her decision to skip the 68th annual Grammy Awards in 2026, despite earning two nominations. In a detailed and candid message shared on Instagram, Anoushka Shankar said she chose to stay in India rather than travel to Los Angeles, citing concerns around mental health, the emotional strain of awards season, and her belief that artistic connection outweighs industry recognition.
Anoushka Shankar, who has now been nominated 14 times at the Grammys without a win, reflected on the meaning of success and the personal cost that often accompanies high-profile award campaigns. Her remarks offered insight into the pressures faced by artists during major industry events and highlighted why she opted out this year.
Anoushka Shankar on Grammy nominations and personal choice
In her post, Anoushka Shankar acknowledged her pride in being nominated at the 2026 Grammys. She received recognition for her album Chapter III: We Return to Light and for Daybreak, the album’s lead track.
“It’s Grammy day today! I’m proud to be twice nominated,” she wrote, adding that these were her 12th and 13th nominations at the time of writing. She emphasized that she values the acknowledgment and does not dismiss the importance of being nominated.
At the same time, Anoushka Shankar made it clear that she intentionally chose not to attend the ceremony. Rather than participating in the awards-related events in Los Angeles, she remained in India, continuing her tour and focusing on live performances.
Anoushka Shankar explains the emotional strain of awards season
Speaking openly about the experience of major awards shows, Anoushka Shankar described the process as emotionally demanding. While the Grammys are widely seen as a celebration of music, she said the buildup can be overwhelming.
“It feels really good NOT to be in LA getting sucked into the whirlwind of interlocking excitement and stress,” she wrote. According to Anoushka Shankar, the constant anticipation, expectations, and external pressure surrounding the Grammys can be draining, particularly when repeated year after year.
She also pointed out that artists are often encouraged to equate awards with validation, even though the most meaningful moments frequently happen on stage, directly engaging with audiences.
Anoushka Shankar on mental health and the cost of Grammy campaigns
Addressing mental health directly, Anoushka Shankar spoke about the less visible side of Grammy campaigns. She explained that the weeks and months leading up to the awards involve significant emotional investment and financial expense.
Artists, she noted, often spend large sums on travel, promotion, networking events, appearances, and styling, while also managing the anxiety that comes with nominations and potential losses.
“Starting to hope to win and then not winning again and again can take a toll,” she wrote, highlighting how repeated disappointment can affect even experienced musicians. Anoushka Shankar emphasized that stepping away from this cycle was an important act of self-care.
Anoushka Shankar reflects on industry realities
In her message, Anoushka Shankar also addressed the broader dynamics of the music industry and awards voting. She acknowledged that artists with greater financial backing and mainstream visibility often have more opportunities to engage with voters through events and sustained promotional efforts.
She clarified that her perspective was not rooted in resentment. Even if she were to win a Grammy in the future, she said the achievement would be welcome but not defining.
“I truly believe it doesn’t matter in a deeper context,” she wrote, underscoring her belief that awards do not determine artistic worth or legacy.
Anoushka Shankar finds fulfillment in India and live performance
Instead of attending the Grammy ceremony, Anoushka Shankar spent her time in India, rehearsing, performing, and collaborating closely with her band and crew. She described this period as deeply fulfilling and aligned with the essence of her musical journey.
She noted that Chapter III: We Return to Light began its creative life in India, making it especially meaningful for her to be there during Grammy week. Anoushka Shankar also expressed excitement about upcoming performances, including shows in Mumbai, and wished fellow nominees well.
Anoushka Shankar’s Grammy history and artistic outlook
Anoushka Shankar received her first Grammy nomination in 2003 for Live at Carnegie Hall, becoming the youngest nominee in the Best Global Music Album category at the time. Since then, she has earned nominations in multiple years, including 2006, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Although a Grammy win has so far eluded her, Anoushka Shankar’s message made her priorities clear. For her, sustained creativity, mental well-being, and genuine connection with listeners matter more than trophies or titles.
By choosing presence over prestige, Anoushka Shankar offered a perspective that challenges conventional ideas of success in the global music industry, reinforcing that artistic fulfillment does not always align with awards recognition.
