Los Angeles: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has created history by winning the first Grammy Award in the Narration and Storytelling Recording category.
The Dalai Lama’s spoken-word audiobook Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama won the Grammy Award at the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony.
The award, given in the spoken-word category, is considered a significant international recognition for the Dalai Lama’s life and messages.
The Dalai Lama beat out several notables in this category, including US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (Lovely One: A Memoir), comedian Trevor Noah (Into The Uncut Grass), actress Kathy Garver (Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story) and Fab Moran (You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli).
The Dalai Lama did not attend the award ceremony. Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright accepted the award on his behalf.
The Dalai Lama collaborated with renowned sarod player Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Aman Ali Bangash and Ayan Ali Bangash on this audio album.
The work, through a combination of music and vocals, expresses the universal values of peace, compassion, kindness, hope and human unity.
Commenting on the award, the Dalai Lama said, “I accept this honor with gratitude and humility. I do not see it as an individual achievement, but as a recognition of our collective responsibility. Peace, compassion, environmental care, and awareness of the oneness of humanity are essential for the well-being of people.”
He said that this Grammy Award will help to convey these messages more effectively.
Along with the Dalai Lama, K-POP also made history by winning its first Grammy at this year’s Grammy Awards.