Mardana's Children: The Rababis of Lahore
(2023, 20min. Nathan Drillot, Director)
A short film about the Rababis, a community of Pakistani Muslim musicians with a deep-rooted connection to the Sikh community through a centuries-old music tradition that originated with Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and his disciple Bhai Mardana. The Rababis are descendants of Bhai Mardana, a Muslim musician who accompanied Guru Nanak, and played the rabab (a stringed instrument) while Guru Nanak sang the Gurbani (Sikh scriptures). The Rababis were the original custodians of Sikhism’s kirtan (devotional singing) tradition, and their music played a vital role in spreading Guru Nanak’s message of peace, unity, and oneness.
Despite the divisive legacy of colonialism on the Indian subcontinent, the migration and religious violence during the 1947 partition of the Punjab, and the enduring political antagonism between India and Pakistan, the music of the Rababis continues to resonate with a human wisdom that transcends boundaries of nation and religion.
The film is followed by a concert of Sikh devotional music featuring internationally recognized musicians Kirit James Singh on vocal and Sardar Jasdeep Singh on jorī, who aim to revive the Rababi tradition.
Kirit James Singh is a practitioner of dhrupad vocal music having studied for more than a decade under the guidance of his guru, the legendary Uday Bhawalkar, one of the world's foremost maestros of dhrupad music. He teaches and performs dhrupad and shabad kirtan (SIkh devotional music) internationally and has completed a PhD on the history of Hindustani music in colonial Punjab.
Sardar Jasdeep Singh will be performing on the Jori. Sardar is an emerging musician, musicologist, and educator based in the UK, is committed to preserving the Jorī tradition of the Punjab Gharanā, establishing himself as a distinguished exponent on the global stage. Mentored by Shri Sukhwinder Singh Namdhari and currently guided by the renowned tabla maestro Pandit Yogesh Samsi. Jasdeep has performed at prestigious international venues and festivals. His extensive collaborations include touring with Pandit Uday Bhawalkar, a globally recognised authority on Dhrupad.
More about the film and artists: http://www.mardanaschildren.com