Palak Muchhal: The playback singer on a mission to save little hearts

(May 12, 2023) Growing up in Indore, singer-philanthropist Palak Muchhal was perturbed by the sight of underprivileged children and those in need. At a very early age, she found she wanted to help them out somehow – she had a gift for singing and wanted to use it for good. In 1999, during the Kargil War, Palak, who was seven years old at the time, spent a week singing at the shops in Indore to raise funds for the families of deceased Indian soldiers. Amidst extensive local media coverage, she managed to raise ₹25,000. The success of this initiative motivated her to do more such work for the benefit of others. 

Later that year, Palak went on to raise funds for victims of the 1999 Odisha cyclone through her singing performances. Following these initiatives, people and social organisations who found themselves financially constrained, began approaching her to help raise funds.  

As she honed her skills, Palak’s singing talents took her to Bollywood, where she tasted success as a playback singer. She lent her voice to films like Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Aashiqui 2 (2013), Kick (2014), Action Jackson (2014) Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) Kaabil (2017), Baaghi 2 (2018) and Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas (2019). Her latest released song ‘Naiyo Lagda Dil’ from Salman-starrer Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan has become a chartbuster upon its release this year. 

Palak Muchhal

Despite her success in Bollywood, the Global Indian has not strayed from her original purpose. She collaborates with her lyricist-and-composer brother Palash Muchhal, to perform in India and abroad to raise funds for the needy.  

The singer-philanthropist’s focus has been on raising funds for underprivileged children who need financial assistance for treatment of heart diseases. “Saving little hearts is the mission of my life. Every time I sing, a life is saved and what can be a bigger blessing than this,” Palak remarked in an interview with Hindustan Times.   

Saving little hearts  

While Palak was studying in Indore, she was approached by the teachers of a boy named Lokesh. He belonged to a poor family and required a heart surgery. Using a street vendor’s cart as a stage, Palak organised a cultural event and was able to raise ₹55,000. The publicity of her efforts prompted India’s renowned cardiologist, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty to operate Lokesh free of charge. That was in 2000, and the same year, Palak received Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for her social service. 

Lokesh’s heart ailment was an eye opener for Palak. She learned from experts that congenital heart disease is a major problem in the country. According to a 2021 study, over 2,00,000 children in India are born with congenital heart disease. Nearly one-fifth of these require surgery within a year of birth.  

Since then, saving little hearts has become a mission of her life. Through her trademark show ‘Dil Se Dil Tak’ or ‘Save Little Hearts,’ Palak has helped close to 3,000 children suffering from heart diseases. “I knew I had a special blessing in the form of my talent, through which I could make a difference. I realised I could put smiles back on young faces through my singing,” Palak said. 

 

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Reaching far and wide 

Palak Muchhal’s international performances have helped raise awareness about the importance of providing medical assistance to children suffering from heart ailments, not just in India but across the world. “I feel blessed by the fact that I have been able to bring smiles to faces. Music is not just a career for me, it’s more than that,” she said in a Mid-Day interview. 

The singer-philanthropist has performed in several countries across the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and Dubai, among other countries to raise funds.  

Other than charity, the singer-philanthropist has been part of several campaigns, lending her voice to causes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean Indian Campaign), Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child), and has also raised awareness about important issues like child marriage and domestic violence through her concerts.  

Palak has also collaborated with several international artists to contribute to the causes she is close to. In 2014, she got an opportunity to perform at the United Nations headquarters in New York, to raise awareness about the issue of child marriage in India. She also performed at the Global Citizen Festival in New York in 2016, alongside international bands and artists such as Coldplay, Demi Lovato, and Ellie Goulding. 

 

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Getting recognition 

The singer has made an entry in both the Guinness Book of World Records and Limca Book of World Records for her social work. She stands tall as an example to Indian youth and in 2021, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as well Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Education (MSBSHSE) has included her achievements in moral science lessons for students in grade seven.  

“As a kid I would wonder, ‘why do some kids smile and some cry? Why can’t everybody be happy and had decided to do something about it since then,” Palak remarked.  

Her efforts have been recognized globally, and she continues to use her talent and influence to make a positive impact on society. The philanthropist was conferred an honorary doctorate from the American University in the US, for promoting health and peace through Palak Muchhal Heart Foundation and thousands of concerts across the globe. She also received the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award in the best playback singer category in 2022. 

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