The spiritual offering “Hari,” the final and perhaps most profound track from the acclaimed album Legacy by Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota and soulful voice Sumeet Tappoo, has been honoured with an award at the InterContinental Music Awards 2026 in Los Angeles, winning in the Best of Asia, Hindustani category.
The recognition adds another significant milestone to the journey of Legacy, the album that commemorates four decades of the extraordinary guru-shishya bond between Anup Jalota and Sumeet Tappoo. Since its release, the album has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its seamless blend of classical, devotional, Sufi and contemporary music, with “Hari” consistently singled out as one of its most emotionally resonant tracks.
“Hari” is rooted in the 16th-century devotional prayer of the legendary Indian saint Meera Bai, with music composed by Prithvi Gandharv. The song was conceptualised by Sumeet Tappoo, who drew inspiration from the spirit of Michael Jackson’s iconic “Heal the World,” crafting a musical tribute to peace, unity and shared humanity that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. The music video features visuals of human suffering alongside moments of meditative prayer, with the central message that compassion and devotion are universal.
The song’s music arrangement was by Gauravsingh Bhunawat, engineered by Kohinoor Mukherjee, with creative direction by Geetesh Yadav, Parth Dubey and Pratham Chourasiya.
The InterContinental Music Awards, founded in Los Angeles, is a globally recognised music platform that honours artists based on their cultural and continental origin, celebrating excellence in songwriting, performance, production and innovation across diverse genres and cultures worldwide.
Speaking about the song at the time of its release, Anup Jalota said, “This song is not just about music. It is about inspiring change, and we hope that it resonates deeply with those who hear it.”
Sumeet Tappoo added, “As artists and singers, Anup Ji and I felt there was no better way to inspire others and promote this message of unity and peace than through music, much like how Michael Jackson used his platform to bring attention to these issues decades ago.”
The award in Los Angeles reaffirms what listeners around the world have already felt. “Hari” is not simply a song. It is a prayer, and the world, it seems, is listening.