Sitar and Zitar Bollywood Music for Events
Classic raags meet today’s chartbusters. Whether you are hosting a sangeet, cocktail party, or corporate evening, I bring the familiar melodies of Bollywood to life with the soulful resonance of my Sitar or the electric energy of my Zitar.
My Zitar solo cover of 'Dil ka kya' from the movie 'Metro... in dino'. This is a humble attempt to play a piece originally performed by the maestro Niladri Kumar.
A sitar cover of the beautiful song 'Pehle Bhi Main' from the movie 'Animal'. I enjoy translating the emotion of powerful vocal tracks onto the strings of my sitar.
An instrumental sitar rendition of 'Vida Karo' from the film 'Amar Singh Chamkila'. The melody of this song is hauntingly beautiful and translates wonderfully to the sitar.
Covering the romantic song 'Bolna' from 'Kapoor and Sons' with a fellow musician on guitar. This was an impromptu outdoor session during my US tour in Raleigh.
Jamming on the song 'Neend' with the original singer, Shaurya Saxena. I also played the sitar piece in the official studio recording of this track.
A tribute to the great Niladri Kumar, playing his composition 'Mehram' on both sitar and Zitar. This shows the different textures each instrument brings to the same melody.
A soulful sitar cover of the beautiful song 'Laal Ishq'. I love reinterpreting popular Bollywood melodies, offering a unique instrumental version that resonates with audiences of all ages.
About Bollywood & Popular Music
Many people worry that a traditional instrument might not fit a high-energy party, but the secret is in the arrangement. When I play popular Bollywood tracks, I adapt the melody to the Sitar's unique character without losing the original soul. If you have a specific playlist in mind for your event, please let me know early so I can arrange the tracks to perfectly match your vibe.
My musical journey is about balance. I use the acoustic Sitar when you need something elegant, like for a wedding pheras or a formal dinner, where tracks like 'Laal Ishq' or 'Vida Karo' create a serene atmosphere. However, for Sangeets or lively cocktail evenings, I switch to my Zitar—the electric sitar. This allows me to play upbeat Bollywood covers like 'Pehle Bhi Main' or 'Bolna' with enough punch to stand out even in a busy room.
How to Plan Your Set
When you book me, we can curate the setlist together. I draw from a wide repertoire of contemporary film music, ensuring that the songs your guests know and love are presented in a fresh, instrumental format. My performances are usually structured in sets, allowing me to transition from slow, melodic sections to faster, rhythmic pieces as the event progresses.
Technical Requirements
I aim to make the logistics as simple as possible. For a solo performance, I generally only require a standard PA system with two decent microphones and a monitor speaker. If you opt for my fusion band or a jugalbandi with a tabla player, I provide a detailed tech rider well in advance. Since I am based in Mumbai but travel across India for events, I appreciate at least two weeks of lead time, especially if you have custom song requests that require special practice.
Hardik Verma
I’m Hardik. I grew up with the traditional sounds of Varanasi, but my time in Mumbai taught me how to blend those deep classical roots with the songs you hear on the radio today. Whether you want the soft touch of an acoustic sitar or the rock energy of an electric Zitar, I’m here to make your event sound like exactly what you envisioned.
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