 Whenever a "shabad" was revealed to Guru Nanak he would sing and Bhai Mardana would play on his rubab; he was known as a rubabi.The rubab playing tradition is carried on by Sikhs such as Namdharis.In Tajikistan a similar but somewhat distinct "rubab-i-pamir" (Pamiri rubab) is played, employing a shallower body and neck.