16 classical composers in 60 seconds! Meet 6-year-old Indian-origin boy who set a Guinness World Record

Imagine being able to identify the works of some of the most renowned classical music composers in history, all before the age of seven. Meet Shivankh Varun Varadharajan, a 6-year-old German-Tamil prodigy born in Dubai, who has achieved the impossible by setting a Guinness World Record for identifying 16 classical music composers by ear in just 60 seconds.

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Shivankh's incredible talent was on full display on September 14, 2025, when he recognised excerpts from the works of legendary composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, among others. With remarkable composure and confidence, he identified each piece without hesitation, earning spontaneous applause from the audience and adjudicators alike.

“He is neurodivergent and music is how he ‘feels and communicates’,” according to the post that was shared by @kausi.official on Instagram.

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Shivankh's musical journey began long before his record-breaking attempt. Family members recall that he could respond accurately to rhythm and melody before the age of three. As he grew older, his ear for music became increasingly sharp, allowing him to differentiate between similar-sounding compositions within seconds.

"What a lil legend!," a user reacted. Another wrote, "unmatched talent!"