Dalai Lama Receives First Grammy Award at Dharamsala Residence

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was formally presented with his first Grammy Award at his residence in Dharamsala on Wednesday, months after winning the honour for his spoken-word album “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

The award was handed over by renowned sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan , accompanied by his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, who contributed music to the Grammy-winning project.

The 90-year-old spiritual leader won in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category at the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles in February, becoming a first-time Grammy winner. Musician Rufus Wainwright had accepted the award on his behalf during the ceremony.

Produced by Kabir Sehgal , the album combines the Dalai Lama’s reflections on peace, compassion, mindfulness, inner well-being and global responsibility with original musical compositions. The project features an international ensemble that includes Rufus Wainwright, Andra Day, Maggie Rogers, Ted Nash, Debi Nova and Tony Succar.

The recording is built around the Dalai Lama’s teachings on human unity , environmental stewardship and kindness, with Indian classical music serving as a meditative backdrop. The collaboration has been widely described as a rare meeting of spirituality and music aimed at reaching audiences beyond traditional religious and cultural boundaries.

Following his Grammy victory, the Dalai Lama said he viewed the award not as a personal achievement but as recognition of a shared responsibility to promote peace and compassion , care for the environment and understanding among humanity. The formal presentation of the trophy in Dharamsala marked the culmination of a project that has earned global recognition for bringing those messages to a wider audience.