October

Mardana, the Rebabi, whom Nanak would ask to pick up the ‘rebab’ (string instrument) when ‘Bani’ (sacred verse) descended upon Nanak, was Nanak’s constant companion in his journeys, along with Bala. He died during one of these journeys, probably in Iraq, for one of the Sikh miniatures shows his burning pyre in the desert, along with palm trees. Nanak mourns his passing away.

Bala lays his consoling hand on Nanak’s shoulder, and the pathos is heightened by the artist, who imagines Nanak consigning Mardana’s constant companion, his rebab, to his funeral pyre. The white of the corpse and startling red of the leaping flames stand out against the dark background.