Bhai Mardana Ji was a Muslim musician from Talwandi who accompanied Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his long journeys, playing the rabab as the Guru sang his shabads. Their friendship is remembered as a living example of the Guru's message that God's light is in all.
Life
Bhai Mardana Ji was born around 1459 in Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib, into a Muslim family of Mirasis — hereditary musicians and bards. He was some years older than Guru Nanak Dev Ji and knew him from childhood. Tradition remembers that he shared a love of music with the young Nanak, and that the two became close friends long before the Guru's travels began.
When Guru Nanak Dev Ji set out on his long journeys, known as the udasis, Bhai Mardana Ji went with him. As the Guru sang the shabads that came to him, Bhai Mardana Ji accompanied him on the rabab, a stringed instrument. According to tradition, Bebe Nanaki Ji helped provide the rabab. Together they travelled for many years across the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
The janamsakhis tell many stories of their travels, often through Bhai Mardana Ji's hunger, tiredness or questions, which become moments for the Guru's teaching. These are traditional accounts, told to convey the Guru's message rather than as precise history. His name also appears in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the heading of some saloks. Bhai Mardana Ji is believed to have passed away in the 1530s during or after the travels; traditions differ on the place. His descendants, the rababis, continued to perform kirtan at the Gurus' courts for generations.
Why Sikhs remember Bhai Mardana Ji
- He stands at the very beginning of the Sikh kirtan tradition.
- A Muslim companion of the first Guru, he embodies the Guru's message that divides of religion and caste do not define a person.
- His faithful friendship is one of the warmest human stories in early Sikh history.
Key events
- c. 1459
Birth at Talwandi Historical record
Born into a family of Muslim musicians.
- c. 1500 onwards
The udasis Historical record
Travels with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, playing the rabab.
- —
The rabab Traditional account
Tradition tells that Bebe Nanaki Ji helped provide his instrument.
- 1530s
Passing Traditional account
Passes away; traditions differ on the place.
For children
Bhai Mardana Ji was Guru Nanak Dev Ji's best friend and a wonderful musician. He played a stringed instrument called the rabab. Whenever the Guru sang a shabad, Bhai Mardana Ji played music with him. They walked together to many far-away lands for many years. Bhai Mardana Ji was a Muslim, and the Guru was his dearest friend. Their friendship shows that love joins people together.
Lessons for today
Friendship across differences
A Muslim musician and the first Guru were lifelong companions. Real friendship is not limited by religion or background.
Music as prayer
Kirtan began with Bhai Mardana Ji's rabab. Singing and listening to Gurbani can lift your heart.
Places connected with this life
- Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib
Birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in Bhai Mardana Ji's home town.
Further reading & sources
- Janamsakhi traditions
- Harbans Singh (ed.), The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University, Patiala
- W.H. McLeod, Guru Nanak and the Sikh Religion