Obituary | January 2008

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A Tribute by the Best in Music Industry

A HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO SHREE HARI OM SHARAN JI
BY MALA NIVEDITA SINGH

Hariom Sharan Ji was a living legend millions of people all over the world would listen to his beautiful bhajans every morning. Shri  Hariom Sharan’s songs were melodiously sung and vibrated with sincerity, simplicity and undoubtedly his bhajans touched the chords of our hearts. His distinct pronunciation of sanskrit verses were excellent. He was  immensly charming and humble and would always include jokes during his concerts. 

When I was in India his bhajans resounded over the airwaves and throughout the ghats in Rishikesh, Hardiwar, Kashi and Vrindaban.   He was adored and truly loved in the West Indies. He married a beautiful Guyanese by the name of Nandani who accompanied on his world tours  and has a sweet and melodious voice.  Shree Hari Om Ji loved Trinidad, Fiji  and Guyana. Hariom Sharan is a writer and a painter  too. There are more than 50 cassettes/CDs from this humble genius and he has sung over 2500 bhajans that are a treasure fro the generations to come.   

I have had the honour of sharing many beautiful childhood memories with Dadaji and his beautiful wife Nandani who hailed from Guyana. Dadaji was very close to my Mother Shri Dhanpatti Sharma and my father Shree Roopnarine Sharma. At his last concert here in Canada organized by Parvine Balkaran at the Woodbine Banquet Hall, Dadaji and Nanadani dedicated a song to my mother who passed away in 2001_ 

I remember him spending many summers at our cottage on Lake Simcoe. He was a great lover of nature and would spend hours painting the sky, trees and birds. Our family will always treasure those beautiful paintings. I remember his jokes about Guyana and he would put on a Guyanese accent to make us laugh. I can sincerely say that I have met a true saint in my lifetime. He was the epitome of simplicity, pure love and his laughter will resound in our hearts and souls. May Shree Krishna grant him a place of rest at his holy Lotus feet. This Saint truly deserves a permanent abode in Heaven. Dadaji you are dearly missed!   

For a few of my favourites and I am sure yours also, please Click here.

A Tribute by the Best in Music Industry The best of Bollywood's music industry took time off from their hectic schedule to pay tribute to the world's premier bhajan singer, Hari Om Sharan. In honor of the lifetime work of this living legend, the Bramhm Prince Company has produced an album of Hari Om's bhajans, sung by the front runners of India's music industry, titled "Hari Om - A Life in Prayer." Neil Prashad, founder of the Bramhin Prince Company and producer of this CD, has called on the leading singers and musicians in India to pay tribute to Hari Om Sharan, in which they all agreed with sincerity and conviction. The multitude of singers and musicians who lent their time, support and voices to its fruition captures this CD's uniqueness.

Bhajan Samraat Anup Jalotaji said, "I have learned so much from listening to the bhajans of Pt. Hari Om Sharan ji. It is an honor to be able to pay tribute to this great singer by singing one of his bhajans."

Hariharan of Colonial Cousins and winner of MTV Viewers Choice Award and US Billboard Award, expressed himself by thanking Hari Om Ji for the spirituality that he brought to the world. "It is an honor and privilege to sing on this album. I was delighted when I heard about the project and am happy to be a part of it," expressed Hariharan. Another celebrity on the album is Kavita Krishnamurthy, winner of four Filmfare Awards - the equivalent of America's Oscar - most recently for Dola Re (Devdas). "What struck me most, is the simplicity with which he sings. It is almost like the person singing is a 'sant' or 'fakir'," said Kavita.

The conglomerate of singers also include Sonu Nigam, the voice of Mohammed Rafi and winner of the 2004 Filmfare Award for best male playback singer (Kal Ho Na Ho); Shankar Mahadevan, 2004 Filmfare award winner for Dil Chahta Hai; Richa Sharma winner of the Bollywood Awards 2002; Sadhana Sargam who has recorded hundreds of songs for the nostalgic series, Yaaden; India's hottest popular singer and winner of the Zee Cine Awards 2004, Shaan; Mahalaxmi lyer (Chhalkaa Chhalkaa) and Sunidhi Chauhan award winner for 'Bumbro' (Mission Kashmir).

Hari Om Sharan - Tribute CDA production of such magnitude naturally attracted some of India's greatest musicians. World's famous percussionist Sivamani, (Taal, Lagaan) provides the backdrop upon which this amazing tribute is painted. This album also debut Niladri Kumar as a Music Director, one of India's finest Sitar players and son of Pt. Kartik Kumar. This project was supported fully by santoor legend Pt. Shivkumar Sharma while his son Rahul Sharma played santoor on the album. Padma Vibhushan Pt. Jasraj, a foremost authority on Indian classical vocals, validates its authenticity with his glowing introduction. It is easy to say, in today's world of re-mixes, that this is another 'knock-off CD, a statement which is instantly silenced by the presence of Hari Om Sharan Ji at every recording session, giving his blessings to the artists and musicians. Shankar Mahadevan puts it best when he said, "This CD is our offering to the god of Bhajans, Hari Om Sharan ji."

A few of my favourites and I am sure yours also:
 
1. Daata Ek Raam
2. Maili Chadar Odhke Kaise
3. Aarti Kunj Bihari ki
4. Aisa Pyar Bahaa De Maiyya
5. Shree Radhey Govind