Bhai Mardana’s descendants in Pakistan keen to take part, still awaiting visa
JALANDHAR : The descendants of Bhai Mardana, one of the two constant companions of Guru Nanak, who are living in Pakistan, are awaiting their visa to take part in Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary celebrations. Bhai Mardana, a rabab player, was also the Guru’s first disciple.
A kirtan jatha of three people — Mohammad Hussain, his son Mohammad Sarfraz and his brother Naeem Tahir—have been invited by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar to be part of celebrations in India. Residents of Lahore in Pakistan, Hussain and Tahir is from the 18th generation while Sarfraz has roots that go back to 19 generations.
The SGPC and the 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, Roop Singh said he could not comment on it.
Naeem Tahir told Hindustan Times over 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.
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.