Baba Harivallabh, the
founder of this glorious tradition of Sangeet Sammelan was born in the later
part of 18th Century in village Bajwara, in District Hoshiarpur (Punjab). Bajwara is a small historical village, named after Baiju
Bawra, the great singer of
India. The young
Harivallabh spent his early childhood in this village, but unfortunately he
lost his
parents
at an early age. His maternal grandfather, Pandit Jwand Lal Jyoti brought
him to Jullundur.
His maternal grandfather used to visit Devi Talab and listen to Swami
Tuljagiri singing Bhajans in Dhrupad style. He would often take the young
Harivallabh along with him to Devi Talab where the young Harivallabh would
meet Swami Tuljagiri and listen to his Bhajans with undivided attention.
These meetings left a deep impact on the mind of this sensitive and
precocious child. Instead of playing with other children of his age he would
sit for hours on the steps of Devi Talab singing Bhajans. Pandit Duni Chand
was engaged to give formal lessons in music to the young Harivallabh.
Baba Tuljagiri, a great saint, a sanskrit scholar, a great exponent of
Dhrupad style of classical music and the 'mahant' of Baba Hemgiri's 'Gaddi'
used to live in a temple at Devi Talab. One day he found Harivallabh sitting
on the steps of Devi Talab in deep meditation with his eyes closed. Baba
Tuljagiri kept standing there watching Harivallabh. As Harivallabh opened
his eyes, he found Baba Tuljagiri standing before him. This was the moment
when the enlightened "Guru" found a devoted "Shishya" ready for total
surrender.
The young Harivallbah decided to renounce the world for the pleasures of
serving his guru. Swami Tuljagiri initiated his disciple Harivabllabh into
the learning of the Holy Scriptures, Sanskrit and Music.
Harivallabh possessed a remarkably melodious voice and soon touched great
heights in classical music. He used to sing bhajans in Dhrupad style. Baba
Harivallabh's favourite bhajans were, "Hae Tuhi aad Aant" and "Ta Mehrba
Barse" sung in Raag Handol and Raag Malhar respectively. He created a stream
of Bhakti Ras with his sweet and melodious Bhajans. People from all corners
of the City would flock on the steps of Devi Talab to listen to these
Bhajans of Baba Harivallabh. Such was the pull of these Bhajans that even
the furies of nature could not keep the people away. The scorching heat of
summer, lashing showers of rainy season or the biting cold of winter could
not stop people from coming to the Devi Talab to listen to these Bhajans. It
is said that during the rainy season when the surrounding areas were
submerged in water, people would often swim across to reach Devi Talab to
sit at the feet of Baba Tuljagiri and Baba Harivallabh.
Recognising the extra ordinary qualities in his disciple, Baba Tuljagiri
named Baba Harivallabh as his successor to the 'Gaddi'. Baba Tuljagiri left
this mortal world in 1874 and Harivallabh thus became Baba Harivallabh.
In the year 1875, on the first death anniversary of his great Guru Baba
Tuljagiri, Baba Harivallabh thought the best way to pay his homage would be
through music. Baba Harivallabh decided to hold a memorial ceremony where
Sadhus and Saints were invited to sing devotional compositions at the
Samadhi of his guru. The ceremony started with Hawan Yagya at the Samadhi
followed by Langar for Sadhus, Saints, faqirs, devotees, poor & needy.
Sadhus and Saints sang Bhajans in the traditional Dhrupad style through out
day and night sitting around bonfire in the biting cold weather of December.
The congregation lasted for two days.
Such like congregations became a regular yearly feature year after year.
Sadhus came in large numbers to pay their homage to Baba Tuljagiri. Although
the fame of this Sangeet Mela had spread far and wide yet only Sadhus and
Saints were invited to sing at these congregations.
Baba Harivallabh attained his Samadhi in 1885.
