Pandit Jankie Persad Sharma (Second Dharmacharya of Trinidad & Tobago SDMS)

Pandit Jankie Persad Sharma was born in 1894 in a small Village in Uttar Pradesh, India to Pandit Sheolal Persad Sharma. When he was 18 years old he came to Trinidad and Tobago as an indentured immigrant on board the ship SUTLEJ. He was assigned to the Willamsville Sugar Estate where he served his 5 year term on the sugar plantation, during which time he served the community as a Hindu priest in the tradition of his ancestors. He moved after completion of his Indentureship and he settled, in Debe South Naparima. He got married to the late Gangadaye Persad Sharma, the lovely daughter of the late Pandit Jung Maharaj of Debe. They had 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls – Manoon, Deokienanan, Kristendath, Basdaye, Chan and Shanti. He was highly educated as a Pandit in India and he brought with him from India the principal scriptural texts. He was awarded the title of SWAMI and called Swamiji – the highest spiritual attainment. He conducted thousands of yagnas in the territory and had several thousand disciples. He expounded the scriptures flawlessly and with distinction. He possessed a musical voice and devotees became enchanted by his mellifluous rendition of scripture, Shlokas, Bhajans and Kirtans alike. He was perhaps the most renowned, celebrated and accomplished spiritual Icon in this Country. He became the Hindu Archbishop (Dharamacharya) in 1955. He tutored the vast majority of the Pandits in the country. He introduced Krishna Leela, Ram Leela and Dhanush Yagya in the territory with great distinction, and such standard has never been surpassed to today. In the year 1970 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago awarded him the Hummingbird Gold Medal in the sphere of Voluntary Social Work. The Country was in deep mourning because of the loss of such a noble, decent, upright and inimitable Icon whose excellence is matchless.

You can also visit this interesting link of pandits past and present of Trinidad and Tobago where you are sure to see a familiar face https://hindisongstt.com/photos/pandits-past-present-of-trinidad/ There is another link of great interest of pandits conducting ceremonies https://hindisongstt.com/photos/pandits-of-trinidad-conducting-ceremonies/ We are making a kind request to any family, friends or chelas who may hold precious memories in the form of photos, audios or videos of these great and learned pandits to inbox us these memories  at hindisongstt@gmail.com so we may share for the enjoyment of all. (Copyright Ashram Sharma 2025).