Pandit Jankie Persad Sharma

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.

We at Hindisongstt would very much appreciate it if family, friends and disciples of the late Pandit  Jankie Persad Sharma can provide us with additional photos, audio or videos you may have of this legendary Icon to add to his biography for the enjoyment of all. Kindly contact us at (868) 342-9951 or you can send us a mailto:hindisongstt@gmail.com We have added some Audio samples for your listening pleasure. Video samples added are with the kind courtesy of GISL. 

You can also see rare Photos of many other Pandits by visiting this link https://hindisongstt.com/photos/pandits-past-present-of-trinidad/

(Copyright Ashram Sharma 2025).