Rebab

Bhai Mardana played the rabab beside Guru Nanak, which makes this the instrument at the beginning of kirtan itself.

Carved from a single block with a skin belly, deep plucked main strings and a bank of sympathetic strings, its voice is percussive, warm and immediate. It is also the instrument of Afghanistan and the Pashtun lands, with a repertoire of its own.

Rabab, rebab, rubab? Spellings vary by region. The plucked Afghan and Punjabi rabab is what we sell. The bowed rebab of the Middle East and Southeast Asia is a different family entirely.

Why it matters in Sikh music. It is the instrument of the first kirtan, and central to the tanti saaz revival returning string instruments to gurdwara singing.

Interest in the rabab runs well ahead of what most shops stock. If you need a specification you do not see listed, ask us on WhatsApp.

$649 to $799. Prices include free shipping to the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and many more countries.

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  • Maharaja Musicals Designer Rabab, Jackfruit Wood

    Maharaja Musicals Designer Rabab, Jackfruit Wood (No. NAR1)

    Maharaja Musicals Designer Rabab, Jackfruit Wood (No. NAR1)
    $799.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Rabab

    Maharaja Musicals Rabab (No. 71)

    Maharaja Musicals Rabab (No. 71)
    $649.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Designer Rabab, Tun Wood

    Maharaja Musicals Designer Rabab, Tun Wood (No. 68)

    Maharaja Musicals Designer Rabab, Tun Wood (No. 68)
    $649.00

Questions we get asked

Rabab, rebab, rubab, are these the same?
Spellings vary by region. The plucked Afghan and Punjabi rabab is what we sell. The bowed rebab of the Middle East and Southeast Asia is a different family.
Why does it matter so much in Sikh music?
It is the instrument of the first kirtan, Bhai Mardana's accompaniment to Guru Nanak, and it is central to the revival of string kirtan today.
What condition does it arrive in?
Strung, set up and checked before dispatch. Details of strings and tuning are on each product page.