The Firandia Rabab used by Bhai Mardana ji was a modification of the Afghani Rabab. The Afghani Rabab, an Afghan lute instrument originating in Central Asia, can be dated back 2500 years. It is mentioned in countless Sufi poems because of its power to ensnare the hearts of its audience with its charming and sweet tones. This Rabab was used in both classical and folk music. Firandia Rabab If we compare these instruments side-by-side structurally, the Firandia rabab is ideal. Although the Firandia Rabab is longer, it is as light as the Afghani Rabab, making it easier to carry during travel. Two major differences between the Afghani and Firandia Rababs' are the size of the finger-board and the number of strings. On the Afghani Rabab, the musician has to spend time moving frets and re-tuning strings in order to play different Ragas (raag, in simple terms, is an emotionally-inspired musical mode) and scales, since it has only three main strings and a small fretboard. On the other hand, the Firandia Rabab has five strings and a longer finger-board, with no frets. Whilst only two octaves can be played on the Afghani Rabab, the five strings of the Firandia Rabab make it possible to play all three octaves. Now imagine this: Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji utters to Bhai Mardana ji , “Mardaneya! Rabab Chhed, Bani Aayee hai.” Bhai Mardana ji had no time to waste by asking Guru ji what Raag he was going to sing in and then adjusting his frets and re-tuning his strings, accordingly. Bhai Mardana simply picked up the Rabab and accompanied Guru Nanak dev ji , and no matter how low or high the Guru ji sang, he was able to play along. The long finger-board of the Firandia Rabab gave Bhai Mardana ji the versatility to play various styles of music, including Folk, Classical, Carnatic, Sufi, Dhrupad. Sri Guru Nanak Devji traveled to countless regions, each with its own unique culture and style of music. This instrument was capable of accompanying Guru Nanak ji when he sang Suhee Kafi in the Arabic Region or Ramkali Dakhani in South India. The Firandia Rabab is the Rabab of the Sikhs, the instrument that started this long, undying heritage of Sikh music. The Rabab was created to be the paintbrush of the mind and soul; a tool that could paint the many colors of emotions within us. A tool that was created to be the shadow of the ‘hymns’ that came through the creator. The grand feeling you get from playing the Rabab is something to be experienced.