Ankit Chauhan began his musical career inspired by his family, eventually founding the band Sukoon and co-owning the event company Makinmoves.life. Despite early academic struggles, his passion led him to classical training, stage performances, and original compositions like ‘Nadaaniyaan’.

Ankit Chauhan is a Singer and Composer, and the Founder of Sukoon and Makinmoves.life based in Udaipur.

Singer and Musician Ankit also co-owns a company called Makinmoves.life, an event curation company. They collaborate with various venues across different locations to design and execute unique events.

Ankit belongs to Railmagra in the Rajsamand District of Rajasthan. His musical career began around nine years ago, rooted deeply in the atmosphere of his home, where music was always present. His father was also a singer, and from a young age, Ankit was exposed to quality music that played throughout the house, naturally shaping his ear for melody and rhythm.

He believes that listening to good music from an early age helped him develop a strong sense of pitch and musicality. His father’s guru would often visit their home, generously sharing his knowledge and blessings, which played a significant role in Ankit’s early musical development. With his elder brother playing the Tabla and Ankit singing alongside, the environment was ripe for nurturing talent. He feels that all the blessings and guidance he received at home laid the foundation for a meaningful and promising start to his musical tale.

After completing fifth grade, Ankit Chauhan got admitted to a Navodaya Vidyalalya, which marked a turning point in his life. It was there that he met his music teacher, Dilip Kumar Phadke Sir, who became the most influential figure in inspiring him to pursue music as a career.

Initially, Ankit's parents stressed on academics, encouraging him to focus on studies after his selection into Navodaya, with the idea that career decisions would follow later. However, once he entered the school, Phadke Sir heard him sing during auditions for cultural activities and recognized his potential. From that point onward, Ankit was deeply involved in cultural events, often topping the list of performers. Most of his time until the eighth grade was spent in the music room, where he received unwavering support from his teacher.

When he was in eighth grade, he entered his first music competition with the help of his teacher, Rita Mathur, who guided him through the audition process, which he gave over the phone. He was selected, and the first round was held in Bhilwara, followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals at MLSU in Udaipur. Being surrounded by talented singers there inspired him immensely. He secured the First Position in both the quarter-final and semi-final rounds, which boosted his confidence.

The Final Round was held at Ravindra Manch in Jaipur, where Ankit performed one of his favorite songs, "Yeh Honsla Kaise Jhuke", in front of none other than Salim of the iconic duo Salim–Sulaiman, who also happened to be his idol. Finishing fourth in the competition, Ankit was overwhelmed with emotion and broke down on stage. In a moment that left a lasting impression on him, Salim came forward, embraced him, and said, “This is just the beginning — you sing well, just keep working hard.”

That encouragement stayed with Ankit and continues to drive him. He deeply admires Salim–Sulaiman's music and considers them a major source of inspiration. It was through them that he learned success is not a destination, but a journey that begins the moment one dedicates themselves fully to their passion.

In ninth grade, Ankit Chauhan participated in a prestigious competition called the Anuvrat Naitik Geet Gayan Pratiyogita, where he emerged First at the All-India level in the Seniors Solo category. His music teacher from school not only accompanied him but also composed the song and taught him the nuances of Tarana, a style rooted in Indian classical music. The experience turned out to be transformative — Sheila Dixit, then a prominent political figure, presented him with the award and a cheque of ₹11,000. That moment marked his first earning, and it came through his passion. It was then that he realized music wasn’t just something he enjoyed — it was something he was meant to pursue.

Singer Ankit Chauhan strongly believes that in life, one should follow what brings genuine joy. According to him, true success begins when one fully dedicates themselves to their art. Once that commitment is made, everything else — recognition, rewards, and growth — naturally follows.

After tenth grade, however, a different path was laid out for him. His father wanted him to become a doctor and enrolled him in the Biology stream, even suggesting that he prepare for medical entrance exams at Allen Institute in Kota. But Ankit was deeply attached to Navodaya, the school that had shaped him, given him independence, and nurtured his passion for music. He wasn’t ready to leave that behind.

Around the same time, a friend named Rhythm was taking admission at Ascent, Udaipur, and Ankit decided to join him. Moving from a boarding school to a city environment was exhilarating — a whole new world opened up. Studies gradually took a back seat, and city life brought with it the thrill of new friendships, outings, movies, and carefree fun. As a result, his performance in 11th grade dipped significantly.

Concerned, his father sent him to Sikar, to live and study with a friend’s son. However, two months later, that friend returned home, leaving Ankit alone. Still determined, Ankit chose to stay and carry on. It was during that period that he met Gagandeep Singh, who would later become the drummer in his band. Gagandeep introduced him to a local music class where Ankit continued learning music and enjoying the process.

After completing 12th grade — where again his academic performance wasn’t strong — Ankit Chauhan convinced his father to let him re-enroll at Ascent, Udaipur, to prepare once more for NEET. He took a gap year, hoping to crack the medical entrance exam, but his heart was entirely immersed in music. As a result, he didn’t make it through. That was a turning point — he finally accepted that music was not just a passion but his true calling.

He then took admission into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) course at Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth (JRNVU), but even there, his heart kept searching for rhythm and melody. Upon returning to Udaipur, he began learning under Shalu ma’am, who also gave him opportunities to perform on stage. These performances helped him overcome his stage fear and grow as an artist.

Later, he was introduced by Pradeep ji, a teacher associated with Gandharv Mahavidyalaya, to his Guru — Pt. Sadashiv Gautam ji, a classical music maestro posted at Kendriya Vidyalaya. Ankit spent five years under his guidance, and to this day, he continues to learn from him. Pt. Gautam ji is more than just a mentor — he’s a pillar of support. Whenever Ankit faces any life challenge, he turns to his guru for advice and always finds clarity.

In 2017–18, Ankit Chauhan took a bold step and formed his own band called ‘Sukoon’. The early days were tough — there was hardly any money, resources were limited, and survival as an independent artist was hard. But what made the biggest difference was people’s support. That support gave Ankit and his bandmates the confidence to keep going, to keep creating.

They started performing wherever they could. A turning point came when the owner of 'Banjara' Restaurant at Bohra Ganeshji offered them a regular venue for practice and shows, which helped polish their performances and build consistency.

With time, Ankit began working on original music. His first song, created with his friend Yug, was titled "Nadaaniyaan" — it took three years to release, a testament to the patience and persistence required in the independent music scene. From there, they kept composing, performing, and participating in competitions, refining their craft with every step.

According to him, the greatest achievement isn't awards or recognition, but the unwavering support of people, which fuels the confidence to keep going. He strongly believes that one shouldn't be fixated on outcomes. Instead, the focus should be on the beauty of the process. For Ankit, if the process is meaningful and brings joy, the results will inevitably be positive.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ankit chose to focus intensely on learning and self-improvement. He used that time to refine his skills and emerge stronger. After the pandemic, there was a noticeable boom in the event industry—more concerts, more gatherings—which opened up new opportunities. His team began organizing large-scale concerts and original artist shows as well.

Recently, Composer Ankit and his team visited Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai, where they’re working on an exciting upcoming project. The project features Mohan Kannan, the lead vocalist of the band Agnee. Ankit and his friend Prakhar have composed a track that Mohan Kannan is currently recording. This collaboration marks an important milestone for them as independent creators stepping into mainstream music production.

Singer Ankit Chauhan firmly believes that learning is the most important foundation for growth. According to him, whenever you pursue something, your first focus should be on learning. If your learning is strong, the outcomes will naturally be successful.

Speaking about his role models, Ankit names his grandmother, who is now over 95 years old and still plays the dholak and sings as his role model. He feels that his deep-rooted connection to music stems from her. For him, family has always been the strongest pillar of support—they showed immense patience and stood by him until he could prove himself. Once he started winning competitions, his family began to believe in his potential and encouraged him to keep pushing forward.

Sukoon Band Owner Ankit Chauhan especially acknowledges the sacrifices made by his elder brother, who compromised in many aspects of his own life so that Ankit could pursue his dreams. He also expresses deep gratitude to his friends, who stood by him through every high and low. Whenever he felt down, they were the ones who helped him bounce back.

He shares that he looks up to many people in his life and is constantly learning from them. Ankit also emphasizes the invaluable role of a life partner in one’s success—someone who supports and uplifts you in every possible way.

One of his all-time favourite songs is “Yeh Hosla Kaise Jhuke, Yeh Aarzoo Kaise Ruke”. He finds the lyrics incredibly inspiring and beautifully composed by Salim Merchant, calling it a true masterpiece that reflects strength and perseverance.

To new aspirants, Ankit Chauhan shares thoughtful advice rooted in experience and passion. He emphasizes that the first and most important step is to listen to good music. When you expose your mind to quality songs, it naturally shapes your musical sensibility. As he puts it, “When good music plays within you, it helps you feel better.” For instance, almost any song by Arijit Singh resonates emotionally—whether it's happy, sad, or romantic—which highlights the power of listening as a tool for learning.

He urges upcoming artists not to compare themselves with others—not to worry about how much someone else is earning or how their life looks on the outside. An artist's life, he says, is full of uncertainties and pressures. There's no fixed schedule, and everything needs to be self-managed. One of the biggest challenges artists face is controversy, so it becomes essential to stay honest with oneself and the craft.

Ankit Chauhan stresses the importance of patience and rigorous practice (riyaz). He shares examples of legendary musicians like Mehdi Hassan, who practiced for over 40 years before stepping onto the stage, and Arijit Singh, who spent 15 years behind the scenes as an assistant, recordist, and arranger before gaining recognition. In the world of art, there is no fixed timeline for success. It's completely dependent on one’s hard work, discipline, and belief.

He encourages artists to treat their art with devotion, as one would treat God. Learn from the best, and don’t shy away from taking a loan or investing in your skills if funding is an issue. With independent music thriving, he advises musicians to start creating their own songs, writing, composing, and producing music, even if it means learning everything from scratch.

Finally, Makinmoves.life founder Ankit Chauhan explains how connections in the industry are built—not by chasing people, but by consistently putting out good music. When your work is honest and of quality, people will listen. When your art speaks for itself, everything else begins to fall into place.

His parting message: Keep working, stay consistent, and never stop believing.