In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian devotional music, Sounds of Kumbha—a deeply immersive sonic portrait of the Mahakumbh—has been officially shortlisted for the 68th Grammy Awards. Created by composer and sound designer Siddhant Bhatia, the album blends authentic field recordings from Prayagraj with powerful mantras, contemporary soundscapes, and contributions from over 50 diverse artists.
The recognition marks a milestone not just for Bhatia and his team, but for Indian devotional music as a whole. “Indian devotional music has the power to stand proudly on the world stage,” Siddhant says in this exclusive conversation, reflecting on the immense cultural and spiritual essence captured within the project.
A Sonic Tribute to the Mahakumbh
While most people document the Kumbh visually through photos and videos, Siddhant Bhatia wanted to preserve something far more ephemeral — its sound.
With millions visiting the Mahakumbh, Bhatia realized that the festival’s raw sonic identity was vanishing in the noise of digital documentation. This pushed him to embark on an ambitious audio-preservation journey.
Sounds of Kumbha carries a vast array of live ambiences: the hum of early dawn chants, the swirl of conch shells, the distant echoes of devotees, the Ganga’s natural rhythms, and the powerful resonance of akhadas performing rituals. Combined with original compositions and binaural research, the album creates a spiritual experience designed to transport listeners directly to the Mahakumbh.
A Global Collaboration Rooted in Indian Spirituality
What began as a small idea evolved into a massive collaborative project. Siddhant brought together:
- 50+ musicians and vocalists
- Multiple producers and composers
- Researchers studying sonic mindfulness and binaural sound
- On-ground teams conducting open-field recordings
Despite its large scale, Siddhant says the project carried a shared intention — to honour the divine cultural heritage of India’s holiest gathering and share it with the world.
Siddhant Bhatia on How It All Began
When asked how the concept originated, Bhatia explained:
“The idea came from a very simple thought. Today, everything is visually recorded but very few people capture true sound. As a sound professional, I felt it was important to preserve the real moments of the Mahakumbha before they disappeared forever. That was the spark.”
He added that once they began recording, the festival’s spiritual depth naturally took over the creative direction.
“The Mahakumbha is the heart of India,” he said. “The music had to carry that truth.”
A Grammy Nomination That Feels Like a Collective Victory
For Siddhant, the Grammy shortlist is more than a personal milestone — it is a proud moment for India’s devotional, spiritual, and traditional music communities.
He believes the recognition will open doors for more Indian cultural sound projects on international platforms.
The nomination places Sounds of Kumbha alongside global contenders such as:
- Zootopia 2
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
Yet Bhatia deeply hopes that the uniqueness, authenticity, and cultural force of his album will resonate with voters.
Preserving India’s Sound Heritage for Future Generations
Beyond awards, Sounds of Kumbha was created as a cultural archive — a time capsule of the world’s largest spiritual gathering.
Siddhant Bhatia emphasizes that India’s sound heritage is vast, sacred, and worth preserving. Through his album, he hopes to inspire others to value and document the sonic layers that define Indian culture.
