The Grammy Win and Its Cultural Significance
The 2025 Grammy Award for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album was won by Chandrika Tandon, Wouter Kellerman, and Eru Matsumoto for their collaborative album Triveni. The album, which translates to “the confluence of three rivers” in Sanskrit, beautifully weaves together Vedic chants, melodic flute, and cello. The name Triveni is deeply symbolic, referring to the sacred meeting point of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in India, a site of immense spiritual significance. For Chandrika Tandon, the album’s lead artist, the title emerged during one of her daily meditations, a fitting metaphor for the blending of musical traditions from India, South Africa, and Japan.
Tandon reflected on the timing of the Grammy win, which coincided with the Vasant Panchami festival and the Maha Kumbh Mela, a once-in-144-years event that draws millions of pilgrims to Prayagraj, India. She described the alignment of these events as a “beautiful coincidence,” marvelling at the synchronicity of the album’s victory with such a sacred celebration. “Think what you like, say what you like, but one has to just smile at this incredible coincidence,” she remarked.
For Tandon, the Grammy victory represents more than personal achievement; it signifies a cultural moment where ancient Vedic traditions are resonating with a global audience. The album’s blend of sacred mantras with Western instrumentation has made these spiritual practices more accessible and relatable to younger generations, sparking curiosity and appreciation for the timeless wisdom of Vedic chants.
Chandrika Tandon: A Journey from Business to Bhakti
Chandrika Tandon is no stranger to success. As a prominent business leader and philanthropist, she was a driving force in the corporate world for over three decades. Her name is even associated with New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, a testament to her influence. Yet, despite her professional accomplishments, Tandon faced a profound spiritual crisis 25 years ago.
“I knew I had everything, and yet I felt like I had nothing,” she recalled, reflecting on a period of deep introspection. This existential questioning led her to rediscover her roots in devotional music. Drawing from the mantras she heard as a child in Chennai, India, Tandon found solace in creating melodies that became a form of meditation for her. “Music helped me find myself,” she said.
Today, Tandon is a celebrated artist with six albums to her name. Her journey from boardrooms to bhakti (devotional music) is a testament to the transformative power of spirituality. She describes her music as placing ancient Vedic gems in a modern, Western setting, making them more discernible and relatable to contemporary listeners. For her, the Grammy win is a validation of this vision, proving that sacred traditions can transcend time and culture.
A New Generation Embraces Devotional Music
The Grammy win of Triveni comes at a time when devotional music is gaining traction among younger audiences worldwide. In an era defined by fast-paced internet culture, many young people are seeking solace in spiritual practices that offer a sense of calm and connection. Vedic mantras, with their melodic repetition and deep philosophical roots, are emerging as a powerful tool for mindfulness and introspection.
For Gaura Vani, a devotional musician and former member of the Krishna-conscious rock band As Kindred Spirits, this shift is nothing short of remarkable. “In this world of social media and phone addiction, the kids in the Krishna community are doing the craziest thing: Without anyone telling them to, they will find a weekend where everyone’s free, they will dress to the nines together, and find a temple or a space where they will do kirtans for, like, 10 hours straight,” he said.
These kirtans, or devotional songs, often centered around the Hare Krishna tradition, are becoming a space for young people to express their emotions and connect with something larger than themselves. The call-and-response format of kirtans creates a sense of community and belonging, allowing participants to transcend their individual struggles and experience a collective flow state.
Kirtan: A Spiritual Practice for Modern Times
Kirtan, a form of devotional music rooted in Hindu traditions, has long been a cornerstone of spiritual practice in India. The Hare Krishna movement, popularized globally in the 1960s, further amplified its reach, making kirtan accessible to people of all cultures. At its core, kirtan is more than music—it is a spiritual practice designed to connect participants with the Divine and foster inner harmony.
Premanjali Dejager, a 24-year-old “Krishna kid” living in New York’s Bhakti Center ashram, describes kirtans as “spiritual dance parties” where participants can let go of their inhibitions and connect with a higher power. For Dejager, kirtans are not just a form of worship but a way to navigate life’s challenges. “Sometimes, if I’m feeling really sad or going through something difficult… it’ll just be a prayer offering of like, ‘Krishna, I need your help here. I need your guidance.’”
This blend of spirituality and personal expression has made kirtan a powerful tool for younger generations. It provides a safe space for emotional expression, free from the pressures of modern life. As Dejager noted, kirtans allow participants to embrace their true selves and reconnect with their inner selves.
Bridging the Gap Between Tradition and Modernity
The resurgence of interest in devotional music is not limited to Hindu communities. People from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds are finding solace in the universal themes of love, peace, and connection that these traditions embody. For Nikita Bhasin, a California native and certified yoga instructor, her journey back to kirtan began when she rediscovered the chants she heard as a child through her yoga practice.
Bhasin, who was once disconnected from her family’s spiritual traditions, now integrates these chants into her yoga classes, making them accessible to students from all walks of life. She encourages her students to interpret the divine in their own way, whether as a higher power, a feeling of gratitude, or even the love of a friend. “It’s been interesting, because a lot of people tell me after class that they haven’t sung since they were like 10 years old, and this is how they’re coming back to their body and coming back to this childlike spirit of just letting go,” she said.
This approach reflects a broader trend of blending ancient traditions with modern practices. Whether through fusion music, yoga, or social media, the boundaries between East and West, old and new, are dissolving, allowing spiritual music to reach a global audience.
The Future of Devotional Music
The success of Triveni and the growing appeal of kirtan among younger generations suggest that devotional music is here to stay. As artists like Chandrika Tandon, Gaura Vani, and Premanjali Dejager continue to innovate and share these traditions, their music is inspiring a new wave of spiritual exploration.
For Gaura Vani, the future of devotional music lies in its universality. He believes that spiritual music is present in all cultures, from gospel to Sufi Zikr to South African praise songs. “If you look for it, spiritual music is all around us,” he said. This perspective is reflected in his eclectic playlist, which includes artists like Norah Jones, George Harrison, and The Police.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the fusion of musical traditions is likely to deepen, creating a rich tapestry of sound that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. In a world grappling with uncertainty, devotional music offers a timeless refuge—a reminder of the enduring power of love, peace, and connection.