Swami Haridas who was born in 1478 A.D and had his Nikunj Pravesh (Nirvan) in 1573 A.D. was a saint-poet, philosopher and the celebrated Guru of Baiju  Bawra and Tansen and many other great musicians. He was one of the greatest saint musician poets of our country and was venerated as the incarnation of Lalita Sakhi. With him vaishnavism reached a distinct watershed in its highly inspiring and sophisticated career.

Sanctity and saintliness  permeated  the family of Swami Haridas. His father Ashudheer, a scion of Saraswat Brahmin lineage was blessed with marvellous spiritual sensibilities and aesthetic sensitivities. Swami Haridas was blessed with an artistic bent of mind and even as a child, he would often run away to fields and woods and stand entranced at  the enormous bounty of nature. Even after his marriage he would be swayed by emotions to renounce the worldly comforts and go to some place for meditating in solitude. His stay in Vrindaban can only be described as a consistent dedication to long hours of prayer and meditation..

Nidhivan in his time became a secular shrine where people of all religion converged with the same fervour. Swami Haridas was the forerunner of the classical Dhrupad and Dhammar styles of classical rendition which was followed by his disciples. Tansen acquired the schooling in these styles directly from Swami Haridas and perfected it to such an extent that in course of time, he became the most brilliant and enduring of the nine-jewels of the Imperial Court of Akbar.

Vrindaban has always been an important entity since Lord Krishna breathed his first breath in its divine air. This continuityhad been reawakened by Swami Haridas who with Narad and Tumburu has been one of the Patron Saints of Indian Classical music. Swami Haridas never asked the  caste and creed of the aspirants who flocked to his feet to be initiated in the divine art of music. He taught  them all with love and dedication.

Swamiji's contribution to the growth of his philosophy 'lchcha Dwait' puts him in the front rank of Indian thinkers. This has added a unique dimension to the whole concept of Bhakti by aligning it with 'dwait' which is known as 'Madhurya' or 'Ananya Upasana'.

Swami Haridas was the mighty soul who gave a concrete shape to Dhrupad, Dhammar and Thumri. He blended the various styles into one transcendental unity. He created a supreme unity out of baffling diversity. In this respect, he was the forerunner of National-Integration and National-Unity. And all this from a man whose only possessions were Kopeen, Karua and Kantha. He gave to the world a rare and enduring musical system, philosophy, folk theatre and a system of worship which gives peace to the people even today.

The Department of Posts is proud to issue a special postage stamp in the memory of this Saint Musician-Swami Haridas.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India