Naresh Chauhan is a Cape Town-based sitar player with a lifelong passion for Indian classical and instrumental music.
Born and raised in Cape Town, Naresh grew up in a musical family. His father, Jamnadas Chauhan, had studied music in India and introduced Naresh and his siblings to the fundamentals of Indian music, including the harmonium and tabla, from an early age.
Naresh’s journey with the sitar began in 1970, when his family travelled to Durban to purchase the instrument. At the time, access to Indian classical musicians and formal tuition in Cape Town was extremely limited, so Naresh largely taught himself to play, working from an introductory book and recordings and drawing inspiration from legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Remarkably, within months of beginning his journey with the instrument, Naresh had already appeared live on television in Bulawayo. He continued developing his technique over the decades, building a deep understanding and appreciation of Indian classical music.
Performance Highlights
- More than five decades’ experience with the sitar
- Cape Town-based specialist in Indian classical instrumental music
- Performs on sitar and has experience with other traditional Indian instruments including santoor and tabla
- Early live television appearance in Bulawayo
- Featured sitar performer at the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards at the Baxter Theatre
- Has performed at cultural and classical-music events in Cape Town
- Extensive knowledge of traditional Indian ragas and musical traditions
- Inspired by the work of legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar
Live Performance
Naresh offers the beautiful and instantly recognisable sound of the sitar, creating an elegant and authentic Indian musical atmosphere.
His performances are particularly suited to Indian weddings, corporate events, cultural celebrations, gala dinners, Diwali events, guest arrivals, cocktail receptions and sophisticated background entertainment.
For events looking to incorporate an authentic element of Indian culture and classical instrumental music, Naresh Chauhan offers a distinctive Cape Town-based performance option with a musical journey spanning more than five decades.
