The descendants of Bhai Mardana, one of the two constant companions of Guru Nanak, who live in Pakistan, are awaiting their visa to take part in Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary celebrations, which began on November 1 in India. Bhai Mardana, a rebeck player, was also the Guru’s first disciple.
The SGPC began the grand celebrations by dedicating the first event to Bhai Mardana on November 1 at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district.
A kirtan jatha of three people—Mohammad Hussain, his son Mohammad Sarfraz and his brother Naeem Tahir—have been invitated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar to be part of celebrations in India. Residents of Lahore in Pakistan, Hussain and Tahir belong to the 18th generation while Sarfraz is the 19th generation.
The SGPC and Delhi Sikh gurdwara parbandhak committee have been giving pension to each descendant. Chief secretary, SGPC, Roop Singh said they are bearing the expenses of the visa of Bhai Mardana’s descendants. “We will honour them during the celebrations at Sultanpur Lodhi,” said Roop Singh. When asked if they would perform kirtan at the event, Roop Singh said he could not comment on it at this stage.
Naeem Tahir told Hindustan Times over the phone that they are keen to participate in the celebrations in India as well as Pakistan, but they are still awaiting a confirmation on their visa. “We will be also performing kirtan at Nanakana Sahib as we have been invited by the Pakistan gurdwara body. We will feel very humble to be part of celebrations if Indian government would grant us a visa. In Pakistan, we still follow the legacy of Bhai Mardana and other ancestors who performed the ‘kirtan’ in gurdwara’s before the Partition. To spread Guru’s message is worship for us,” Tahir added.
{{/usCountry}}Naeem Tahir told Hindustan Times over the phone that they are keen to participate in the celebrations in India as well as Pakistan, but they are still awaiting a confirmation on their visa. “We will be also performing kirtan at Nanakana Sahib as we have been invited by the Pakistan gurdwara body. We will feel very humble to be part of celebrations if Indian government would grant us a visa. In Pakistan, we still follow the legacy of Bhai Mardana and other ancestors who performed the ‘kirtan’ in gurdwara’s before the Partition. To spread Guru’s message is worship for us,” Tahir added.
{{/usCountry}}When contacted, president DSGMC, Manjinder Singh Sirsa said they are following up the visa status of Bhai Mardana’s descendants so they can be part of celebrations.