Rababi

Indian temple art of the first century A.D. depicted the Gandharan lute, though the ancestor of the rabab in India is likely the Persian instrument of the same name.

[3] Musical expression has held a very important place within the Sikh tradition ever since its beginning, with Guru Nanak and his faithful companion, Bhai Mardana.

[4] Textual traditions connecting Guru Nanak and Mardana to music include the Janamsakhis and the Varan of Bhai Gurdas.

[4] References made to music during the time of Guru Nanak found within the Varan of Bhai Gurdas, includes:[4] ghar ghar hove dharamsāl, hove kīrtan sadā visoā Every house was a place of worship with constant kīrtan as on Baisakhi Regarding the Kartarpur chapter of Guru Nanak's life, Bhai Gurdas states:[4] sodaru ārtī gāvīai amrit vele jāpu uchārā Sodar and Ārtī were sung, and in the early morning Jāp was recited Mardana was a player of the rabab (plucked lute), and would travel alongside Nanak and play the instrument when Nanak spoke his teachings.

[7] A later Muslim rababi who performed kirtan at Sikh shrines, including the Harmandir Sahib, was Bhai Sain Ditta, who flourished during the early part of the 19th century.

[7] During this era, the Muslim rababi institution received patronage from various Sikh polities, such as Nabha, Patiala, and Kapurthala states.