Gurdās, Bhāī

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Gurdās, Bhāī

Sikh writer

Also known as: Bhāī Gurdās Bhallā

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Quick Facts

In full:: Bhāī Gurdās Bhallā

Born:: c. 1550

Died:: 1637

Also Known As:: Bhāī Gurdās Bhallā

Notable Works:: “Kartarpur Pothi”

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Gurdās, Bhāī (born c. 1550—died 1637) was the most famous of all Sikh poets and theologians apart from the 10 Gurūs (the founders and early leaders of the Sikh community). Bhāī is an honorific title meaning “brother.”

Bhāī Gurdās’ fame rests on being the scribe of the Kartārpur Pothī, the manuscript of Sikh scripture prepared during the time of Gurū Arjan. Gurdās also composed original works of poetry that are highly regarded within Sikhism. His compositions include 40 (some scholars say 39) vārs (ballads) in Punjabi and 556 kabitts (short poems) in Braj Bhāṣā (a western dialect of Hindi). The vārs enjoy semicanonical status and are among the only compositions outside the sacred scriptures that Sikhs are allowed to recite and sing within the confines of the gurdwārās, or houses of worship. They also are a significant resource for understanding the early Sikh community.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.