World-renowned India-born TT professor dies

INDIA-born, TT-based Prof Hari Shanker (HS) Adesh was cremated on Wednesday after dying on Sunday at his home in Aranguez. He was 84 and had been ailing for some time.

Adesh, who wrote many books, including Shankuntala, Maharani Damyanti, Nirvan, and Devi Savitri, released a new 1,500-page book in January 2020 titled Raghuvansh Shiromani Shri Raam – a super-epic 1,800 song-verses book which, he said, “...is not for one sect or religion, but is meant for the upliftment of all human beings in the world.”

His god-daughter Devika Putkoo said Adesh’s death had left a vacuum in the family. He is survived by his wife Dr Nirmala Adesh, son Pandit Vivek Adesh, daughter-in-law Shrimati Kadambari-Adesh and daughter Surabhi Adesh. He was cremated at the Shore of Peace in San Fernando.

Putkoo said Adesh was a world-renowned scholar who had given his knowledge to the world in many fields.

“The best way to honour him is by practising the knowledge he gave to the world. He was a great poet, a great musician, a great icon, and a great man. It will be hard to find a man like him again.”

Adesh moved to TT with his family in 1966 and worked as a cultural officer at the Indian High Commission. He adopted Trinidad and Tobago as his home and founded the Bharatiya Vidya Sansthhaan (BVS) (Institute of Indian Knowledge) in November 1966. He offered free classes in Hindi, music, religious knowledge, dance, drama, and later organised an annual cultural camp.

He wrote and produced books, songs, poems, and dramas, and was awarded the National Humming Bird (Gold) Medal in 2001 for dedicated service to TT.

At the launch of the book in January, Adesh said his life had been immersed in Shri Raam and Ramayana from childhood with the blessings of his parents, even when he did not understand its meaning.

He said he received the
darshan (vision) of Hanuman 35 years ago which inspired him to write the new super-epic, “to present the cleanest picture of Shri Raam and all other characters” of the Ramayana.

In a release, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said Adesh had left behind a rich legacy of poetry, song, literature music and a multitude of scholarly publications for TT to remember him.

“Today, under his tutorship and leadership, TT is a beautiful garden of sangeet (song) for the entire world to listen to and enjoy.”

Moonilal said since founding the BVS, Adesh had “been more the propagation and promotion of Indian art and culture and for teaching Hindi, Sanskrit and music to thousands of our nationals. He took the BVS to many of the towns in villages throughout the country, giving the opportunity to everyone, young and old alike, to learn the Hindi language and the music of their ancestors.

“The student body of UWI was enhanced and benefited immensely from his work and teachings.”

Moonilal offerered condolences to Adesh’s family on behalf of his family and his constituents.

“This internationally-renowned author, philosopher, poet and composer inspired and mentored the nation. His many students from Oropouche East are indeed saddened by his demise and he will be dearly remembered as someone of highest integrity, sincerity and honesty – the most beloved and affectionate guru and teacher who gave his best to his students. We all pray today that AdeshJi’s soul will find solace in the comforting arms of our Supreme Lord.”