Harmeet Virdee

Harmeet Virdee is a leading British-based sitar exponent. He has performed on the BBC and at a range of leading festivals, and is also committed to teaching students and newcomers, leading Darbar’s Indian music appreciation courses. He learnt his art from a young age from Dharambir Singh, and then informally trained with Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pandit Arvind Parikh, and other leading artists.

In recent years, Harmeet has continued to expand his musical horizons. He has collaborated with various artists and participated in numerous performances, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the art form. His dedication to teaching remains unwavering, as he continues to lead music appreciation courses and mentor emerging talents.

Harmeet’s association with the Darbar Festival has been marked by several notable performances. In 2009, he opened the festival with a serene morning raga at the Purcell Room of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, accompanied by Bhupinder Singh Chaggar on tabla and Ranjana Ghatak on tanpura. More recently, in 2024, he performed in the “Ragas with Soul” series at St Martin-in-the-Fields, collaborating with tabla artist Junaid Ali. These performances underscore his dedication to bringing the rich heritage of Indian classical music to diverse audiences.

Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical music to stir, thrill, and inspire. Explore our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Darbar Player to watch extended festival performances, talks, and documentaries in pristine HD and UHD quality.