Hindu scholars ask for 'kirtan' award at Grammys

London, April 29 (IANS) Hindu scholars are calling on Grammy Awards bosses to add a new category for traditional Indian music at the annual awards ceremony.

Officials at the Universal Society of Hinduism are urging Grammy bosses to include "Kirtan" as a field for future awards shows, beginning in 2010, reports contactmusic.com.

"In 2009, there were Grammys awarded in 110 music categories, covering 32 fields, including pop, rock, rap, country, new age, gospel, jazz, folk, world music, Hawaiian, Latin, reggae and blues, and we now think Indian music should be included," said Hindu scholar Rajan Zed.

"Kirtan is attracting large audiences in USA and Canada, and many other countries of the world, resulting in various new albums and creation of star kirtan artists....There should be Favorite Kirtan Artist of the Year award at the Grammys," he added.

The "Kirtans" have a meditating effect, he said.

"The powerful healing and transformational energies of these ancient chants in help to calm and focus the mind... It's a sacred and spiritual experience that takes one to the state of deep meditation."

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