The Rababis Ensemble : Film Screening & Music Concert

Mardana's Children: The Rababis of Lahore (2023) : 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 and his disciple Mardana. 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. (20 min. Nathan Drillot, Director)

Kirit James Singh is a practitioner of dhrupad vocal music having studied for more than a decade under the guidance of his guru Pt 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, 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

Host or Publisher South Asia Institute