Ila Paliwal is a classically trained Indian vocalist, songwriter, composer, producer and philanthropist.
Ila was born to literary parents in Agra India. Her father Late Dr. Padma Singh Sharma ‘Kamlesh’ was a nationally renowned Hindi and Gujrati scholar and a poet. Her mother, Dr. Sushila Sharma Kamlesh, was a English and Sanskrit scholar. At 12, Ila started vocal training with Pandit Sitaram Vyavhare of the Gwalior Gharana. Ila’s music has been inspired by the great Indian vocalists like Kishori Amonkar, Parween Sultana and Lata Mangeshkar. Ila has had a great fortune to learn from noted artists of Jaipur Gharana such as Padma Talwalkar, Aarti Anklikar and Pandit Raghunandan Panshikar.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Music and Fine Arts from Dayalbagh University, Agra and was awarded Director’s highest medal. She earned Master’s degrees in Fine Arts from Agra University, and Sangeet Praveen (MA) with distinction in Hindustani classical vocal music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti Allahabad. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mandarin (Chinese) from The Language and Culture Institute, Beijing, China. She worked as Cross Cultural Consultant in Beijing China.
Ila has performed at the most renowned venues in the world e.g. Carnegie Hall in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, World Financial Center in Dubai, Microsoft Theater in LA, NCPA Mumbai, Great Hall of People in Beijing China during International Women’s conference to name a few. She was invited to perform American National Anthem at the opening of All Star Cricket Championship at Mets Field, New York. Ila has lived in six countries on four continents and she plays a great role in popularizing Indian music across the world and regularly hosts artists. Through her music Ila focuses to spread the message of Unity in Diversity. Ila supports several philanthropic organizations through her Family’s Charitable Foundation.
She released her album NAVARATNA in 2015 at the Carnegie Hall to a sold out audience. Ila’s album was released by her label Padmasheel Productions. The album was the bestseller for eight consecutive weeks on Amazon Asia. NAVARATNA celebrates India’s secular and festive spirit and is based on Indian Classical Ragas to celebrate “Pongal”, “Holi”, “Baisakhi”, “Eid”, “Janamastami”, “Ganesh Chaturthi”, “Durga Puja”, “Diwali”, and “Christmas”. The Album is executive produced by AR Rahman. Lufthansa Airlines chose NAVARATNA for its inflight entertainment. In 2018, her Holi song won the Round Glass award in New York for best ‘World Music’. Her award winning ‘Holi’ video celebrates the Indian ancient phrase Vasudev Kutumbakam (world is one family). The legendary music 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.
Ila has recently recorded her next album and plans to release it in August 2020.
Ila chairs Ila & Dinesh Paliwal Foundation and together with her husband Dinesh they have established an Innovation and technology chair at Miami University of Ohio.
Ila serves on the board of Pratham USA, a fine organization committed to primary education for underserved children in India and Africa.
Ila is a keen collector of modern and contemporary art.
2015: Women of Distinction Award: Children Hope India
2016: Breakthrough Change maker Inspiration Award: Breakthrough
2017: GOPIO Outstanding achievement in Music & Performing Arts: GOPIO CT
2018: Round Glass Music Award