Gujarati Sugam and Bhakti sangit’s veteran artist Harshidaben Rawal passes away

Ahmedabad: Gujarati Sugam and Bhajan sangeet’s veteran artist Harshidaben Janardanbhai Rawal is no more. She passed away last night in Ahmedabad.

Harshida and Janardan Rawal duo were introduced to people of Gujarat for the first time through their song ‘Keva re malela man na mel’ that they first sung in Shruti institution’s programme and later in Gujarati film ‘Kashi no dikro’.

Hailing form Limbdi, Harsidhaben was daughter of Manishankar Vyas who was also vocal artist. As a student in Gujarat College of Ahmedabad, her Guru was Rasbihari Desai. Avinash Vyas recorded her song ‘Eke Lal Darwaje tambu taniya re lol’ in Mumbai for which Harshidaben received best playback singer award.

The State government presented five awards to Harsidhaben for best playback singer in Gujarati films.

Some of the most popular songs by Harsidaben are ‘Mari sheriethi kankunvar avta re lol’, ‘Piyu maro lilo lajamni no chhod’, ‘Haju rasbhar rat to baki rahi gayi’, ‘Hu to gai ti melama’, ‘Maro sonano ghaduliyo re’ and ‘Gormane panche angaliye’.

Harshidaben’s husband Janardanbhai was also famous singer. Both met through Rasbihari Desai who was Guru of Harshidaben and friend of Janardanbhai.

Harshidaben was in later stage influenced by Chaitanyaprabhu and therefore she shifted from Sugam sangeet to Bhakti sangeet. She would sing the creations of Tulsi, Mira, Kabir, Surdas etc.

Archive video featuring felicitation of Harshida and Janardan Rawal by the City of Amdavad

DeshGujarat