Meet Gauri Mishra, the Youngest Classical Pianist to receive an appreciation letter from PM Modi

Gauri Mishra, a student of Class XII, Amity International School, Sector-46, Gurugram, made a record by being the Youngest Piano Player at the age of 9, giving a solo performance in front of a huge audience, which was judged by the Officials of India Book of Records, in the year 2015.

She received a certificate and was judged as the “Youngest Indian Classical Pianist” by Children Book of Record International Association of Educators for World Peace (Affiliation-UNESCO, UNICEF, ECOSOC) and many other world record organisations.

Recipient of the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar-2020 from former Honourable President Shri Ram Nath Kovind in the Art and Culture category (Piano) along with a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, Gauri donated the entire amount to the PM-CARES Fund during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In addition, she has also received an appreciation letter from Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for her experiments with Indian Classical Music on Piano. She is the only Pianist of India who has received this National Award. Gauri has been learning Piano since the age of 4 and plays four genres of music i.e. Indian Classical, Western, Bollywood and Fusion on Piano which are rare and unique.

In addition, she has recently won the First Prize at the National Competition 2022 and will be going to Dubai to participate in the International Competition. She has performed Live Piano Concert at various auditoriums like Kala Mandir Auditorium, Kolkata Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Auditorium for Incredible India, India Habitat Center, Siri Fort Auditorium, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Auditorium, Andhra Pradesh Bhawan, Assam Bhawna Auditorium, Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium-Pune and Mumbai, All India Radio, Doordarshan Delhi, Manekshaw Auditorium Delhi Cantonment and has received many awards for her performances. She has also performed with international musicians and musical associations in India i.e., Korean Cultural Center, famous French Jazz Pianist Mr. Benjamin Barria and many Ambassadors from all around the world, as a cultural exchange. She is currently pursuing her music certification from Trinity College of London (Completed Grade 8 with Distinction) and Prayag Sangeet Samiti Allahabad (Completed Grade 5 with 1st Div).

Gauri has always believed in adding creativity, innovation, and experimenting to her music. Proud to perform the Piano during ‘The Festival of Bharat’ – “Incredible India”, “Beti Bachao and Beti Padaoo” and “Mission Shakti” (organised by Government of India). She also delivered her talk as a Guest Speaker at TEDx 2020 “Avant Garde” and performed at TEDx event ‘Possibility REBOOTED’ at Amity International School Sector 46, Gurugram.

She is an All-Rounder performer in School and has held many responsibilities such as Head Girl, Vice Sport Captain, Cultural Prefect, participated in AMIGMUN and Member of Interact Club, actively working on social causes like “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, “Cancer free India'' and “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”. Apart from this, she was chosen as the Best Delegate twice in Model United Nations (MUN) work experience. She has also participated in GD Goenka International Model United Nations (GDGIMUN), won the Best Delegate in AMIGMUN 2021 and a Special Mention award in Birla MUN. Gauri received the National Women’s Inspiration Award Year 2022 and won the National Competition organised by Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrutik Sangh, Pune Maharashtra.

A powerhouse of talent, Gauri has also participated in several debate competitions and emerged as the 2nd Runner Up in “Verbattle” National Debate Championship. She has also participated in various sports events as a skater and won many medals (Gold, Silver, and Bronze). She was awarded as the 'Best Skater’ at District and State level and she missed the national selections only by 2 milliseconds.

Gauri wishes to inspire the young boys and girls of our country. In our country, where, in some parts, birth of a girl child is still considered a curse, Gauri wants all parents to look at their girls with great pride and feels strongly about the upliftment of the ‘girl child.’ Her motto in life is “Together we can” and she feels that even if a few parents can change through her work and give equal opportunities to their daughters, she will consider that she has been successful in her mission. Sharing her success mantra, Gauri says, “Believe in God, believe in yourself and believe in your parents and teachers who are your best guide, have passion and be committed.”