Bibi Jaswant Kaur

Bibi Jaswant Kaur is the only known surviving student of Bhai Taba Ji, the legendary Rababi Kirtaniya, who with Bhai Chand, was one of the eminent Kirtaniyas at Sri Harmandir Sahib before 1947. Bhai Taba Ji will always be remebered for the tremendous service he rendered to the Sikh Panth by working with Gyani Gian Singh Ji ABbotabad and Gyani Dyal Singh Ji to document numerous ancient Gurmat Sangeet compositions.

As a young woman in Amritsar, Bibi Jaswant Kaur Ji studied Gurmat Sangeet with Bhai Taba Ji for sixteen years. She represents the Rababi Tradition, which has almost completely died after the partition of India and the migration of most of the Rababis to Pakistan, where their art has withered and died.

Bibi Ji was kind enough to record a few compositions taught to her by Bhai Taba Ji. Tabla accompaniment was provided by Bhai Kavinder Singh, a student of Gyani Dyal Singh Ji.

Bibi Jaswant Kaur Ji was also kind enough to give me a tape of her recordings. These recordings were made several years ago; the recording quality is indifferent, but the recordings are priceless. They are an invaluable resource for students of Gurmat Sangeet, who wish to revive compositions from the Rababi tradition. Several of these compositions are documented in Gyan Singh Ji Abbotababd's books.