The journey of rabab in Sikhism

Rabab is an instrument that originated in central Afghanistan. Its name was also derived from the language Arabic rebab which means ‘played with a bow’ but the Sikh rabab is different from the Afghani rabab, it is plucked and distinctly different in construction as well. Sikh Rabab was a traditionally local Punjabi variant known as Nanak Shahi or Sikh Rabab. Rabab was the first instrument used by Sikhs, it was used by Bhai Mardana, a longtime companion of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He was Muslim by birth and one of the first disciples and followers of Guru Nanak who accompanied him on his journey and converted to a newly established religion. Bhai Mardana had very good knowledge of music with the divine knowledge, the Guru used to indicate him to play Rabab as suited for the message(hukm) for which the Guru was being called upon to utter. This uniformity of singing and playing of the Gurbani (divine hymn) was the beginning of Gurbani kirtan with Rabab therein. Guru Nanak ji was not satisfied with the sound quality of the rabab which Bhai Mardana used to play. He sent Bhai Mardana to Bhai Firanda ji ( a renowned instrument maker) to get a new type of rabab. Bhai Firanda ji respectfully declined the cost, seven rupees which Guru Nanak’s sister Bebe Nanaki gave him, and presented a new improvised Rabab in front of the Guru for Bhai Mardana to play while he sang his words about god. Bhai Mardana ji as a shadow accompanying nearly 27 years on the Guru’s journey around the world to spread his message. So from there on sikh rababi tradition was started. The first name given to those who recite shabad was in fact called Rababis. The successor Gurus also took a keen interest in learning it and in the development of string instruments. After the partition of India in 1947, the use of string instruments got declined, and the harmonium was more in use for reciting kirtan at darbaar saheb but it has now been revived.