Ila Paliwal

Paliwal was born in Agra India as one of two children. She was born in a literary family where music, art and literature were deeply ingrained.[1]

Paliwal's father, Late Dr. Padma Singh Sharma Kamlesh was a nationally renowned poet and Hindi and Gujrati scholar, and her mother, Dr. Sushila Sharma Kamlesh, is an English and Sanskrit scholar.[1]

At age 12, Paliwal started her vocal training with Pandit Sitaram Vyavhare of the Gwalior Gharana.[2] Paliwal learned from many noted artists of Jaipur Gharana such as Padma Talwalkar, Aarti Anklikar and Pandit Raghunandan Panshikar.[3]

Paliwal received her Bachelor of Arts in English, Economics, Music and Fine Arts from Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra and was awarded Director's highest medal. She also earned a Master of Arts in Fine Arts from Agra University, and her MA (Sangeet Praveen) with distinction in Hindustani classical vocal music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mandarin (Chinese) from The Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China. She worked as Cross Cultural Consultant in Beijing China.[4]

Paliwal has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York,[3] Kennedy Center in Washington DC,[5] Trade Centre 2 in Dubai, Nokia Center in Los Angelea, National Centre for the Performing Arts (India) Mumbai,[6] International Women's conference in Beijing China to name a few.

Paliwal released her album Navaratna in 2015 at Carnegie Hall to a sold-out audience.[3] In 2015 she also released a video Holi celebrating the Indian ancient phrase "Vasudev Kutumbakam".[7] In 2016 Tmusic Producer Quincy Jones, included her "Holi" song in his list of best 15 songs from around the world for a premier World Music Magazine SONGLINE.[8] Her album NAVARATNA was picked up by Lufthansa Airline and has become part of its inflight entertainment.[9]

Paliwal is a member of the Board of Directors of Pratham USA,[10] the U.S. arm of one of the largest and most successful NGOs in India, focused on innovative interventions to address gaps in the education system through philanthropic and community based programs.[11] 

Navaratna was released on iTunes on March 5, 2015 by Padmasheel Productions. The nine songs in the album include, “Pongal”, “Holi”, “Baisakhi”, “Eid”, “Janamashtami”, “Ganesh Chaturthi”, “Durga Puja”, “Diwali”, and “Christmas”.[12] The Album is executive produced by AR Rahman and musically arranged by Ranjit Barot.[13]

Paliwal is married to Dinesh Paliwal, President and CEO of HARMAN. The Paliwals, and their two children, are now based in New York and Greenwich, Connecticut.

2015 Women of Distinction Award: Children Hope India[14]

2016 Breakthrough Changemaker Inspiration Award: Breakthrough[15]

2017 Outstanding achiever of the Indian-American community in Connecticut: The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin Connecticut chapter[16]

2018 RoundGlass Music Awards: Best World Music Song (Holi)[17]