Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain (11th August 1925 – 1st December 1997) was a leading exponent of devotional music and esteemed social worker. His musical journey started at a tender age of five in Punjab (Multan in Undivided India) and went on to penning 100s of songs which were a mix of devotional, patriotic, philosophy, social and culture with references to Indian Traditions. He emerged as a multifaceted individual: a gifted musician, a devout spiritual seeker, and a compassionate philanthropist. He has received recognition and accolades for his musical contributions, including the titles "Sangeet Samrat" and "Sur Samrat” in 1960’s by Shri Mangal Das Pakvasa the then Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Bombay and Mysore, and a confidante of Mahatma Gandhi. He was most notably known for his autobiographical account of a near-death experience in the Gujarati article "Sarp-Dansh" (Snake Bite). This article detailed his encounter with a venomous snake, his apparent death, and his miraculous revival attributed to the intervention of Punjab Kesari Acharya Shri Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji. He was also recognised post his demise for significant contributions to devotional music and social work and a prominent road in New Delhi was named in his honour as "Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain Marg," in 2013, a testament to the enduring impact of his work. He has also been a successful financer, producer, distributor and exhibitor in the film industry and the list of silver and golden jubilees under his company’s name became so huge that in industry he was known as “Jackpot Distributor” as per Film Trade Guide. His company also received the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for one of the best Film Distributor, post his demise.
Ghanshyam Ji was born in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Punjab, in the British Raj. He, the third son to Aadu Ram Ji Jain (Bardia) and Radha Bai Ji Jain with seven siblings (six brothers and one sister). He was identified as a devotee of "Shabda Brahma" (the divine word or sound), indicating a strong connection to music and spiritual sound. He acknowledged his proficiency in recognizing and rendering musical notes and nurtured his spiritual self-awareness. He had a love for music since childhood and began giving music lessons at the tender age of twelve. His life story is presented as an example of how artistic talent and spiritual devotion can be combined to serve a higher purpose. This compilation of text excerpts provides a glimpse into his life.
Ghanshyam Bhajanawali - 1943-1944 IssueRangoon, Burma Jain Temple Golden Jubilee Function 1961
Music was not just a profession for him, but a spiritual practice, a way to connect with the divine and inspire others. He was a talented musician with a captivating voice, known for rendering devotional songs in a melodious style. He was deeply devoted to God and believed in the power of music to inspire devotion. At the request of devotees, he had released series of music and play booklets starting 1950’s under the name Ghanshyam Bhajanawali. This was followed by musical stage shows and plays in Mumbai, Rajasthan, Delhi etc with “Garib ki Chingariyan” being the most popular. During his travel to Burma, Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Mewar, and Uttar Pradesh, he engaged devoted followers with his gifted voice. This was followed by his first record with HMV (Jayega Jab Yahan Se.. Do Gaz kafan Ka Tukda) and then music album with T-Series and Yuki (Bhramcharya Vrat Puja) featuring devotional and socially relevant songs. Besides singing he was a multi-instrumentalist. He was proficient in Harmonium, Flute, Tabla, Violin and Mouth Organ.
During the India-Pakistan Partition, he played a crucial role in rescuing and rehabilitating Jain & Hindu refugees from Multan at great personal risk. He was very well versed with the Islamic culture in spite of being born in a Jain family which helped him in rescuing hundreds of Jains & Hindus from Pakistan. He did not care for his life and was selflessly committed in saving hundreds of lives. He was able to rescue people by Air from Pakistan to Mumbai twice. Post partition, after having lost all his wealth, he re-established his business from scratch and also helped in rehabilitation of those displaced during partition by helping them in education and employment. He forayed into multiple businesses like R. S. Oswal Wool Industry, Girnaar Textiles Hosiery Industry, and Film Financing Corporation and achieved success across.
His life is a portrayal of a journey of spiritual awakening, marked by a transformative near-death experience. He was most notably known for his autobiographical account of a near-death experience in the Gujarati article "Sarp-Dansh" (Snake Bite). This article detailed his encounter with a venomous snake, his apparent death, and his miraculous revival attributed to the intervention of Punjab Kesari Acharya Shri Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji.
The profound influence of his spiritual Guru, Punjab Kesari Acharya Shri Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji Maharaj Saheb, was a central element of his story. He had a near-death experience involving a snakebite, which he attributes to a spiritual rebirth through the intervention of his Guru.
In Samvat 2007 (approximately 1950-1951 CE), during the Jyeshtha Shukla 6th, Ghanshyam Ji was visiting the holy site of Shatrunjay in Palitana, Gujarat with friends. While admiring the scenic beauty of the mountains, he was bitten by a venomous snake on his toe. The snakebite rapidly caused him to lose consciousness, and he was pronounced dead. Despite attempts by his companions, travellers, local shepherds, and doctors to revive him, his condition worsened.
Acharya Shri Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji, a Jain spiritual leader, was informed of Ghanshyam Ji's plight. Without delay, the Acharya Ji entered a state of deep meditation. After an hour of yogic trance, he sent a "vasakshep" to Ghanshyam Ji's body, effectively neutralizing the snake venom. Ghanshyam Ji miraculously regained consciousness, attributing his revival to the Acharya Ji's divine intervention.
This near-death experience significantly impacted Ghanshyam Ji. He described it as a spiritual rebirth. Like a snake sheds its skin, he felt as though the "skin of ignorance" had been shed from his soul. This transformative experience led him to become a devoted follower of Acharya Shri Vijay Vallabh Surishwar Ji.
Ghanshyam Ji's account of this incident, "Sarp-Dansh" is a testament to his spiritual awakening and unwavering faith in his Guru. The article highlights the themes of faith, divine intervention, and the transformative power of spiritual experiences.
Film Industry – Jackpot Touch and Dada Saheb Phalke Award
He has also been a successful financer, producer, distributor and exhibitor in the film industry. He started his foray into film finance business in 1970's under the banner Film Finance Corporation and gradually moved towards Film Production, Film Distribution and Film Exhibition under the banner T. Naveen Pictures & Magnum Films (in collaboration with B R Chopra Films). The list of silver and golden jubilees under his company’s name became so huge that in industry he was known as “Jackpot Distributor” as per Film Trade Guide. The films range from Johny Mera Naam, Insaaf Ka Tarazu, Doli, Sawan Bhadon, Trishul, Deewar, Nikaah, Roti Kapda aur Makaan, Kranti in 1970’s-1980’s to Chandni, Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, Lamhe, Biwi No. 1 in 1990's to Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Baghban, China Gate, Pukar in 2000. He also established & ran cinemas in Rajasthan. His company was awarded Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Film Distribution.
Jin Kushal Suri Jain Mahila Mandal - New Delhi - 1980Road naming ceremony - Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain Marg - 2013Play - Garib Ki Chingariyan - 1950
He has received recognition and accolades for his musical contributions, including the titles "Sangeet Samrat" and "Sur Samrat” in 1960’s by Shri Mangal Das Pakvasa, the then Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Bombay and Mysore, and a confidante of Mahatma Gandhi. Listeners, upon hearing his melodious voice, assume that he must have received higher education somewhere. However, this was the melody of his heart, attained not through education but through noble virtues. Truly, he had received the blessing of Maa Saraswati in the field of music. Moreover, his explanations were so deeply moving that the audience was overwhelmed with emotion, immersed in devotional sentiment, and their joy of devotion was quadrupled. The ability to describe this unique quality of his is beyond the power of words. He was also recognised post his demise for significant contributions to devotional music and social work and a prominent road in New Delhi was named in his honour as "Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain Marg," in 2013, a testament to the enduring impact of his work.
He has established institutions and published devotional music to share his spiritual teachings. He founded the Jain Kushal Yuvak Mandal and Jin Kushal Suri Jain Mahila Mandal in 1980’s encouraging the youth to serve society at large, contribute to well-being of society in general, donate for social causes, helping the downtrodden and also used his music and art of theatre and cinema to bring this young generation rooted to culture and religion. He also founded Sargam Mandal in 1990s wherein he trained various novice singers to perfection in devotional music. These institutions have taken forward his mission with same passion and idealism. They continue the legacy of his teachings and continue to perform on his songs and plays till date to inculcate the Indian value system and culture in youth. Some of the plays written and directed by him are Garib Ki Chingariyan, Dharm Shakti, Karm Se hare Hum aur Dharm se Hare Karm, Vikram Betal, Ek Daku ki Kahani, and so on. His theme has always been to work for the social causes.
All the earnings from his shows were donated for social cause like helping the needy, development of temples, aid to charitable Hospitals etc. He selflessly and wholeheartedly contributed toward the development of several temples & foundations like the Vallabh Smarak in Delhi, Multan Mandir in Jaipur, Chhoti Dadabadi in South Delhi, Roop Nagar Jinalaya in Delhi, and so on.
He was someone who used his artistic talents and financial resources to serve others, particularly through charitable work and the promotion of religious values. He used his earnings to support charitable causes and religious institutions. He never sold his art; rather, he used the earnings from art to serve monasteries, charitable rest houses (dharamshalas), and fellow religious practitioners. Through music, he had instilled devotion in every corner of India, guiding people toward the spiritual destination of Dharma. His voice was very captivating. He had received letters of appreciation and gold medals as awards from various places and had been honoured with numerous titles. His unwavering faith in devotion to God had led him to achieve immense success in business, and he had made significant contributions to the film industry.
He suffered renal failure in 1993 and underwent dialysis for nearly five years. During this period, he recorded his last audio cassette and CD “Jain Geeton Ki Jhankaar” a compilation of nine of his songs. He died in New Delhi due to multiple complications at the age of 72 on 1st December 1997, survived by his wife Bhagya Devi Jain, three sons, one daughter and their families.
Some of the Titles of the Songs penned by Shri Ghanshyam Dass Jain
(The list is a mix of devotional songs, patriotic songs, philosophical sayings, poems, and social commentary with cultural and spiritual references that are specific to Indian traditions, Gurus, and Deities.)
1. Bhula Bhatka - Pathhara Man, Sharan Tumhari Aaya (Meaning: The Lost Mind Has Come To Your Refuge)
2. Prabhu Bankar Bhikhari Mein, Tere Dware Pe Aaya Hoon (Meaning: Becoming A Beggar, O Lord, I Have Come To Your Door)
3. Hum Gaye Khushi Ke Geet Prabhu Se Naina Lad Gaye (Meaning: We Sing Songs Of Happiness, Our Eyes Met With The Lord)
29. Humen Chhod Gaye Guruvariya (Our Guruji Has Left Us.)
30. Aeri Behna Aaj Naye Ghar Jana (O Sister, You Must Go To A New Home Today.)
31. Sada Apne Jeevan Ko Ooncha Uthana (Always Lift Your Life Higher.)
32. Ae Vallabh Tere Charno Mein Woh Pushp Chadhane (O Vallabh, To Offer Those Flowers At Your Feet.)
33. Tumhe Dhondti Hai Nigahein Zamana, Zara Man Ke Mandir (The Eyes Of The World Look For You, Look Into The Temple Of Your Heart.)
34. Khidmat-E-Mulk Mein Jo Bhi Mar Jayenge (Those Who Die In The Service Of The Nation.)
35. Shudh Mann Se Bhajan Bhagwan Ka Karo, Sansaar Se (With A Pure Heart, Sing Hymns To God, Detach Yourself From The World.)
36. Yaad Karon Main Tujhe Sanjh Savere (I Remember You Every Morning.)
37. Guru Ki Mahima Ke Aanand Ko Sansaar Kya Jaane (What Does The World Know Of The Glory Of The Guru's Bliss?)
38. Lakh Chaurasi Ghum Ghum Kar Aya Hai Insaan, Phir Bhi Nahi (It Is Said That A Human Has to Wander Through 8.4 Million Life Forms, Yet Still.)
39. Mann Dole Mera Tan Dole Mera Hoga Aaj Udhhar Ji (My Mind And Body Sways.)
40. Vallabh Tere Dware Par Mera Manwa Khushi Manaye Re (My Heart Celebrates At Your Door, O Vallabh.)
41. Jhoomta Hai Shaan Mein, Phoola Hai Bhool Mein Lekar Sugandh Mast Tu (It Roams In The Evening, It Has Blossomed In The Root, You Are Intoxicated With The Essence.)
Collage of films distributed by T. Naveen Films and / or Magnum FilmsMany of which were commercial blockbusters / silver jubilee / golden jubilee on their releases.
