Immerse yourself in this beautiful self-composition by Bhai Anantvir Singh’s most popular shabad, “Madho”. Performed alongside the brilliant Patri Satish Kumar, Giridhar Udupa, Gurdain Rayatt and Momin Khan. Singh engages the listeners to ensure they feel every word, to reflect the boundless power and grace of Waheguru. The performance invites us to relish in the humility of mankind, contrasted with Waheguru’s pure and divine sovereignty.

Translation

*ham mailae thum oojal karathae ham niragun thoo dhaathaa*
We are filthy, and You are immaculate, O Creator Lord; we are worthless, and You are the Great Giver
*ham moorakh thum chathur siaanae thoo sarab kalaa kaa giaathaa*
We are fools, and You are wise and all-knowing. You are the knower of all things
*maadhho ham aisae thoo aisaa*
O Lord, this is what we are, and this is what You are
*ham paapee thum paap khanddan neeko thaakur dhaesaa*
We are sinners, and You are the Destroyer of sins. Your abode is so beautiful, O Lord and Master.
*hum sabh saajae saaj nivaajae jeeo pindd dhae praanaa*
You fashion all, and having fashioned them, You bless them. You bestow upon them soul, body and the breath of life
*niraguneeaarae gun nehee koee thum dhaan dhaehu miharavaanaa*
We are worthless - we have no virtue at all; please, bless us with Your gift, O Merciful Lord and Master
*thum karahu bhalaa ham bhalo n jaaneh thum sadhaa sadhaa dhaeiaalaa*
You do good for us, but we do not see it as good; You are kind and compassionate, forever and ever
*thum sukhadhaaee purakh bidhhaathae thum raakhahu apunae baalaa*
You are the Giver of peace, the Primal Lord, the Architect of Destiny; please, save us, Your children!
*thum nidhhaan attal sulithaan jeea janth sabh jaachai*
You are the treasure, eternal Lord King; all beings and creatures beg of You
*kahu naanak ham eihai havaalaa raakh santhan kai paashhai*
Says Nanak, such is our condition; please, Lord, keep us on the Path of the Saints

About the Project

Performance Date: 6 April 2025
Venue: Barbican Centre, London

This project explored how Guru Nanak’s timeless message of equality, compassion and spiritual awakening continues to resonate. Music was central to his mission—he travelled with Bhai Mardana, a Muslim rababi, using song to share spiritual wisdom beyond caste and creed. Darbar honoured this tradition by bringing musicians of diverse faiths onto one stage, spreading unity and peace.

Credits: -

Musicians

Aruna Sairam (carnatic vocals)
Zeeshan Ali (sufi vocals)
Bhai Anantvir Singh (kirtania)
Amrita Kaur (kirtania)
Momin Khan (sarangi)
Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam)
Giridhar Udupa (ghatam)
Surdarshan Chana (tabla & jori)
Gurdain Rayatt (tabla)
Beibei Wang (da ga drum)

Darbar Team:

Sandeep Virdee OBE (Artistic Director)
Simrat Lall (Darbar Festival Manager)
María Guardiola (Festivals and Events Manager)
Depesh Patel (Events Manager)
Jamie Craven (Head of Design)
Rahul Ravindran (Creative Video Editor)
Sana Ejaz (Marketing Executive)
Zahabiya Patharia (Marketing Executive)
Christoph Bracher (Head of Sound)

Filming Crew

Pritpal Sagoo (Digital Consultant)
Gurwinder Soor (Content Creator and Platform Manager)
Tom Grancia (Technical Production)
Carl Owen (Camera Operator)
Chris Connel (Camera Operator)
Anup Parmar (Camera Operator)
Nick Morchang (Camera Operator)

Technical Team

Phil Jones (Front of House Sound)
John Duckett (Sound Monitors)
Mark Gardner (Lighting Designer)