Jaya Harihar

Jaya Harihar

Bedminster, New Jersey

April 14, 1931 - May 13, 2021  

Jaya Harihar, 90, of the Bedminster section of Bernards Twp., NJ died on Thursday May 13, 2021, at the home of her daughter Shamla and son-in-law K.N. Mani. Jaya was born in Kerala State, India, but lived abroad most of her life with her husband of 62 years, Mr. T.A. Harihar.  Although born in colonial India, both Jaya and Harihar were contemporaries for their time with a progressive outlook of the world and a joie de vivre, and were associated with various social and community circles.

Together they moved to Tokyo and then Kobe Japan, where she was a well-respected socialite, before starting a quieter life in Manchester and then London, U.K. She ultimately moved to New Jersey, U.S.A., more than 40 years ago to be near her children.

As a young woman growing up with 8 siblings in a musically inclined family, she became a well-known All India radio star and kept her career until her marriage. She traveled extensively from Alaska to the Far East, making many friends along the way. Wherever she went, she was consistently recognized for her compassion, generosity, and kindness.  She had a way with people and was always nurturing of others, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as “Nanan”. Throughout her life she enjoyed gardening, cooking, spending time with her family, and in recent years, she took pleasure in a new endeavor: woodworking.

Jaya is predeceased by her parents Chammukutty and Chellammal Iyer, seven of her eight siblings and late husband T.A. Harihar.

Surviving her are her younger sister Mrs. Sundara Jayaraman of New Canaan, C.T., her two daughters: Shamla Mani and her husband, Dr. K.N. Mani. of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Rita H. Gambino and her husband Russell R. Gambino of Mt. Olive N.J.; her grandchildren Dr. Nandini Mani, and her husband Brett; Shareen Mani Esq., and her husband Robert; Rohan H. Mani, and his wife Alyssa; Kristyne J. Gambino; Gabriella L. Gambino; Noelle R.A. Gambino; and her great-grandchildren Kiran, Maddox, Radhika, Nico and Meghana; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday June 2, 2021 for a Memorial Gathering and service from 1-3pm at the Franklin Memorial Park followed by a private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to No Kid Hungry www.nokidhungry.org. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.Indiafuneralservice.com.

Events

JUN

02

Memorial Gathering

Wednesday, June 02 2021
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Franklin Memorial Park

1800  N.J – Route 27
NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ 08902

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