Bhai Satta Doom | |
|---|---|
%2c_from_a_fresco_of_Guru_Hargobind_with_Sikh_musicians.jpg) Detail of a drummer playing the jori instrument, possibly Bhai Satta Doom, from a fresco of Guru Hargobind with Sikh musicians | |
| Personal life | |
| Known for |
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| Relatives | Balvand Rai (brother) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Sikhism |
Satta Doom (fl. late 16th to early 17th century), also spelt asSatta Dum, was a drummer and author of eight verses found within theGuru Granth Sahib.[1][2]
He was born a Muslim in a Doom-Mirasi family.[3] He started playing music for the Sikhs during theguruship ofGuru Angad.[3] He was a drummer whilst his brother,Balvand Rai, was arababi (rebec player).[1] Some sources describe him as a rababi, like his brother, rather than a drummer.[4] Other sources do not ascribe a brotherly blood relation between Satta Doom and Balvand Rai.[5] They would playkirtan at the Sikh gurus'durbar (court).[6] At some point, him and his brother abandoned the company and employment of the Guru but returned after facing hardships, where they were forgiven.[4] They then wrote hymns for penance for their past mistakes, which would form part of the Adi Granth.[4] The compositions he co-composed with his brother Balvand can be found on pages 966–968 of the Guru Granth Sahib under the title ofRamkali ki Vaar Rai Balwand tatta Satte doom akhi.[7][4]
In his hymns, he emphasized the continuity of the guruship from Nanak to Angad, referring to the latter as having been sat on thetakht (throne) of Nanak.[8] It further praises the first five gurus of the Sikhs.[6]
Bhai Rai Balwand was a Muslim rebab musician and Satta was a Muslim drummer during the time of Guru Angad up to the time of Guru Arjan; they both sang gurbani-kirtan and composed a Ramkali var that was included in the Guru Granth Sahib (pp. 966-8).
BALVAND AND SATTA. Rai Balvand and Satta the Dum were two rabab players who, according to tradition, sang kirtan for Guru Angad. After some years they became increasingly insubordinate and left the Guru's service. When they lost popularity, they were humbled. To signal their contrition they wrote the first five stanzas of Tikke di Var, composing the remaining three stanzas in the time of Guru Arjan.
Rai Balwand and Satta refer to Guru Angad being seated on the throne (takht) of Guru Nanak.
