“Vaat” - meaning conversation in Gujarati - is more than just a performance. It is an immersive musical dialogue, a space where cultures meet, ideas spark, and boundaries dissolve.
At the heart of Vaat lies the earthy, poetic essence of Gujarati folk music - melodies deeply rooted in the rhythms of everyday life. In this show, acclaimed artist Hardik Chauhan reimagines these traditional sounds along with his original compositions, weaving them with the textures of Western instruments and contemporary arrangements to create a soundscape that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
Each performance of Vaat is spontaneous and alive - shaped by Hardik’s improvisational spirit and the audience’s energy in the room. Songs evolve, stretch, and take unexpected turns, much like a true conversation.
Having previously collaborated with artists from around the world, including a French cellist in a cross-genre exploration of Gujarati folk and Western classical -Hardik brings the same spirit of experimentation and cultural exchange to this experience in North Carolina, US.
Witness the fluidity of live music-making and celebrate the shared language of sound that connects us all.
About the Artist
Hardik Chauhan is an international singer and musician known for creating a unique fusion of traditional Gujarati folk and Western classical harmonies. A talented medical engineer by profession, he bridges cultural gaps through his soulful voice and innovative compositions.
Hardik grew up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He spent his formative years in Gujarat, where he inherited a passion for music from his father, Kamlesh, himself a music teacher.
He currently resides in Germany, having moved there in 2016 to pursue a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Ernst Abbe Hochschule in Jena. While living in Germany, he has successfully integrated into the local arts scene, performing with the German National Theatre in Weimar and collaborating with the Collegium Vocale Jena choir.
He gained global recognition in 2019 after a viral performance in a historic German church, where he collaborated with a German choir to perform Gujarati folk songs and the poetry of Jhaverchand Meghani.
We are thrilled that Hardik will be accompanied by our own local violist- Sriya Venkat.
Sriya is third year student at NC State University, double majoring in Statistics and Economics with a minor in Mathematics.
A dedicated Carnatic musician, she has performed across India and the United States and is a prize winner of the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana.Sriya’s musical foundation was built under the guidance of Sri PK Sridhar, Sri BU Ganesh Prasad, and Smt Geetha Ganesh.
She currently continues her advanced training under Sri Kamalakiran Vinjamuri (violin) and Sri Madurai R. Sundar (vocal).
About the Program
Hardik will present Vaat primarily with Gujarati music, guided by a concept shaped by the diverse languages and cultures he has encountered over the past 15–20 years. He means for this presentation to be a dialogue with you - the audience - to present the stories surrounding these ancient songs, as well as present his own original compositions.
Hardik believes that the barrier of language need not be a barrier in music. He will therefore also present a few other regional songs. His influences will be woven into original compositions across multiple languages.
Since each performance is unique, this evening has selections specially for our Durham live audience.
We are grateful for our Silver Sponsors!
Leela Foundation is grateful for support from Cary Lazy Daze
