Source: News Blaze
http://newsblaze.com/story/20090426141819zzzz.nb/topstory.html
Hindus have called for the introduction of "kirtan" as a new field of awards at the famed Grammys to be held at the Los Angeles' Staples Center on January 31 next year.
Last Grammys were awarded in 110 music categories, covering 32 fields, including Pop, Rock, Rap, Country, New Age, Gospel, Jazz, Folk, World Music, Latin, Reggae, Blues, etc., for outstanding achievements.
Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that outside India, kirtan was attracting large audiences in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and many other countries of the world, resulting in various new albums and creation of the star kirtan artists. It was the time Grammys organizer National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of USA opened its eyes to the sentiments of people.
Zed, who is the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, also urged the organizers of American Music Awards and British Phonographic Industry's annual BRIT Awards to include an award for "Favorite Kirtan Artist of the Year". Performances to be featured in every Grammy Awards ceremony should include a brief kirtan presentation also, he stressed.
Rajan Zed points out that Kirtan is rapidly and continually growing in the West and becoming a vogue and bringing increasing number of Americans to its events. According to Kirtan participants, the powerful healing and transformational energies of these ancient chants in a living room style music experience help calming and focusing the mind, uplift, provide a soothing melody, inspire, bring peace and connectedness, etc. Its sacred and spiritual experience takes one to the state of deep meditation. Moreover, Kirtan is highly accessible and does not require training.