A WEEK OF IDEAS AND CONNECTIONS

• Palak Chauhan is a 16-year-old Western classical pianist hailing from Chennai, India. She began her musical journey at the age of 5, displaying an extraordinary passion for the piano. She is currently a student at the KM Music Conservatory, where she is mentored by virtuoso pianist Dr. Surojeet Chatterji, an alumnus of the Moscow Conservatory. Palak is presently preparing for her LTCL diploma in piano performance from Trinity College London.

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• Palak stands out as one of India’s most promising young artists, widely recognized for her refined musicality, expressive depth, and exceptional poise on stage. She has performed at renowned venues such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Grand Concert Hall at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, New York University (Abu Dhabi), and NCPA, among others.

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• She has won top honors in over 25 international piano competitions across the USA, UK, Italy, Austria, Canada, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the UAE. A few of her notable achievements include:

a) 3rd Prize – Vietnam International Piano Competition and Festival, Hanoi (2025)
b) 1st Prize – Four Notes International Piano Competition, Abu Dhabi (2024 & 2021)
c) Gold Certificate & Excellent Interpretation Award – Manchester International Music Competition, Manchester (2023)
d) Silver Certificate – London Young Musician, London (2023)
e) 1st Prize – Vivaldi International Music Competition, UK (2023)
f) Platinum Certificate & Outstanding Musicality Prize – Franz Schubert International Music Competition,UK (2023)
g) Bronze Medal – Quebec International Music Competition, Canada (2021)
h) Bronze Medal – North American Virtuoso International Music Competition, North America (2021)
i) Gold Certificate – Appassionato Quebec Youth Music Festival, Canada (2021)
j) Silver Medal – Global International Music Competition, Canada (2021)
k) 3rd Prize – Medici International Music Competition, London (2021)
l) Gold Medal – Grand Maestro International Music Competition, Canada (2021)
m) Ranked among Top 10 Junior Pianists – 1st World Piano E-Competition Napolinova, Italy (2020)
n) 2nd Prize – BTHVN2020 – 250 Years of Beethoven, Goethe-Institut, South Asia (2020)
o) Outstanding Performer – Putra International Piano Competition, Malaysia (2020)
p) Top Scorer – ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), London (2019)

• Beyond competitions, Palak has been honored with prestigious awards such as the Global Kids Achievers Award, The Child Prodigy Award, National Icon Award, Rotary Best Youth Artist Award, and the IWA Music Award.

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• Palak has had the honour of performing for some of the world’s most distinguished personalities, including the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu; legendary composer Mr. Andrew Lloyd Webber; and global music icon Ed Sheeran. She also had the opportunity to perform for international stars such as the Jonas Brothers and Sting at an exclusive gathering hosted by Mr. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India.

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• In 2023, she was invited to perform a solo concert at the Raphael Court of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for the unveiling of a sculptural piano by Edelweiss Pianos. The event was attended by several UK dignitaries, including Rt Hon Lucy Frazer (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), and legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, along with esteemed families such as the Hindujas, Jindals, and Mittals.

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• In June 2025, Palak had the distinct honour of performing on a piano gifted by Dr. A.R. Rahman to Nagaland, at its unveiling ceremony during the TaFMA Excellence Awards, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio.

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• She has also performed for U.S. Ambassador Mr. Eric Garcetti; Consul General Ms. Judith Ravin; Mr. Chris Hodges of the U.S. Embassy; and Consul General Mr. Taga Masayuki of the Japanese Embassy, Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, Mr. Kentaro Kawai (President of Kawai Pianos), Mrs. Meenakshi Lekhi (Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture of India), philanthropist Mrs. Sudha Murty, and Mr. Mohit Chauhan (Cultural Envoy of Mongolia to India).

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• One of the most defining moments in her journey came when world-renowned pianist Mr. Lang Lang recognized her performance and shared it on his Instagram account during the Piano Day 2020 celebrations—bringing her talent to the attention of the global piano community.

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• Palak has been featured in leading publications such as The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Hello India Magazine, The Telegraph, and Rajasthan Patrika. International platforms like Serenade Magazine and the World Online Music Competitions Organization (WOMCO) have also spotlighted her work.

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• She was also invited to address over 2,000 students at the Birla Group’s Ashok Hall Schools at Kala Mandir. Since 2019, Palak has been associated with the Nagaland Brillante Piano Festival as its youngest featured artist. She is also a TEDx speaker.

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• Notably, Palak is not just a performer but a conscientious artist committed to uplifting others through music. As part of her work with Teach For India, she teaches music to underprivileged children in a government school in Chennai. Palak was also a part of The Circle Labs: Reinventing Schools Starter Program where she built an after school Music Program which will help the students to explore and learn Music for schools associated with the The Circle.

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• Among her most cherished recognitions is the repeated appreciation she has received from Dr. A.R. Rahman, who has shared her performances on social media—further affirming her place among India’s finest emerging talents.

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• Palak is now preparing to release her debut album, Across 88, featuring original piano compositions—one of which is already streaming—marking her formal entry into the world of recorded music.

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• With discipline rooted in the Russian school of piano training and a heart attuned to Indian culture, Palak bridges East and West with every note she plays. With a global vision, she aspires to become India’s first internationally renowned lady concert pianist and to represent the nation on the world’s grandest musical stages.