Hansraj Ramkissoon

Hansraj is an International Cultural Icon who is the son of the late Sonny and Polly Ramkissoon. He was born in December 1953 in the village of Tarouba, Marabella, Trinidad. His main mentor and inspiration has been his late father who was a Sadhu versed in Hindu scriptures and Traditional Indian Music, both vocal and instrumental. His father began teaching the Bul Bul Tarang to him at the tender age of three and by age six he was playing the Bul Bul at school programs at San Fernando T.M.L. Primary School where he attended.

His maternal grandmother Tulsi (Nanny) was for many years the village “mid-wife,” folk singer and Dholak player. Hansraj also learned to play the Dholak, Harmonium and traditional singing from his father. Rhythm came naturally to this young man; at the age of thirteen he gained instant fame and recognition when he won the National Indian Dance Competition. He made his International performing debut at the age of fourteen at an International Trade fair held in Suriname in 1967. Over the years he has blossomed to be the Only Indian Artiste so far from the West Indies, who could sing, dance and play multiple Musical Instruments (Tabla, Dholak, Keyboard, Mandolin, Violin and the Bul Bul Tarang).

He has accompanied many singers including the late Ramdhanie Shamma, Jhagroo Qawal and his brother Dev Bansraj Ramkissoon in the late 1970’s, who is also an accomplished singer and musician. Hansraj founded the Raam Krishna Seva Sangh in 1986 at Bamboo Settlement Valsayn, Trinidad, where he recorded his first album “Bhajan Vihari.” In 1989 he won the Nafeita award for best song. He was the 2nd place winner in 1991 in a competition hosted by the Hindi Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago. Over the years he has won many prizes and awards in a wide range of categories. Hansraj is also a painter, a well-known lyricist, a composer and a dance choreographer. In 1992 Hansraj migrated to Florida, USA where he became Champion singer in 1999 and he still holds this title. He is a free lancer and teaches privately. Apart from being the great performer that he is, Hansraj is now the mentor of his two sons Raviraj and Amitraj who are following very closely in their father’s footsteps.

“Do you have a special memory captured on film or audio? Please email any photos, videos, or audio recordings you may have to hindisongstt@gmail.com. We are looking to preserve the many beautiful moments shared with this talented artiste Hansraj Ramkissoon.” (Copyright Pandit Ashram Sharma 2026).(Copyright Hindisongstt 2026).