Sangeet Sudhakar Swami Shri Shreevallabh Dasji – A Visionary of Music & Education
Sangeet Sudhakar Swami Shri Shreevallabh Dasji, a dedicated Swaminarayan disciple perceived music and devotion as the means of attaining proximity to God. For two and a half decades, he acquired training in the art of Mridang, Tabla and Vocal Music under his proficient master and Guru, "Aftab-e-Mousiqi" Ustad Faiyyaz Hussein Khan. His passion to establish a music academy and an ideal school led to the founding of Shreevallabh Shikshan Sangeet Ashram in Sion, Mumbai, in 1949, which simultaneously laid the foundation for a renowned music, dance, and yoga academy in Mumbai.
On Swamiji's sad demise on 23rd May 1972, his disciples, Swami Shri Hariprasad Dasji and Swami Shri Chaitanya Swaroopdasji took on the challenge of completing his unfinished project in Killa Pardi, District Valsad. They were assisted in this project by the philanthropist and industrialist, the late Sheth Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, Chairman, Atul Products Ltd.
Swami Shri Hariprasad Dasji – A Visionary Leader
'A visionary with a mission', Swami Shri Hariprasad Dasji has persistently striven to realize his Guru's dreams. He dedicated his life to Lord Swaminarayan at the age of 09. He received his early education, along with musical training, in Ahmedabad and Baroda. Swami Shri Hariprasad Dasji was a disciple of Sangeet Sudhakar Swami Shri Shreevallabh Dasji from a very young age and was nurtured by him. They performed together at many musical concerts within India and abroad, and travelled together to numerous overseas countries, spreading Indian culture and traditional values. The ardent desire of Sangeet Sudhakar Swami Shri Shreevallabh Dasji to establish a music academy and an ideal school that would instil Indian culture and values. As a first step toward realizing this dream and mission, he established Shreevallabh Sangeetalaya (est. 1949) and Shreevallabh Ashram English Medium School (est. 1950) at Plot No. 6, Swami Shreevallabhdas Marg, Sion (W), Mumbai 400 022.