
Indian School, Delhi style, 19th century
The First Guru, Nanak circa 1800circa 1840
RCIN 925202
This is from a series of paintings depicting each of the ten successive Sikh spiritual teachers known as Gurus. Guru Nanak gestures towards his companion, Mardana, playing the rabab. Mardana’s instrument was a gift from the Guru who encouraged him to play and sing ‘kirtan’ (devotional hymns) wherever they travelled.