Came across this beautiful article by Kirit Singh regarding the ‘Rababis’ and their lost standing is Sikh traditions especially post-colonization & partition. It’s truly sad given the Rabab and Rababis are so intrinsic to Sikh traditions right from Guru Nanak’s time, with Bhai Mardana being such a beloved of Nanak.
I mentioned the Rababis in my last post, in particular with regard to how their musical tradition represented one of the authentic Kirtani lineages dating back to the guru’s times and how their tradition is practically lost today.
Before coming to Calcutta I was actually searching old record shops in Delhi in the hope of finding some 78rpm recordings of the Rababis.
Me doing the dirty work, sifting through dusty old 78rpms, whilst my comrade Jas Bhai sits back and takes photos!
So who are the Rababis exactly? The Rababis belong to the Mirasi caste whose hereditary profession and specialisation it is to perform music for their associated patron families. Mirasis are essentially musical service providers and are considered of fairly low social status. Guru Nanak’s renowned companion and musical accompanist was the Mirasi known as Mardan Khan. He played the Rabab, a plucked lute of Persian origin…
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Erudite Kahani 