Chapter Notes and Summary
Tansen was one of greatest musician of our country. He was born to Mukandan Misra and his wife who lived in Behat near Gwalior. As a child, Tansen was very naughty. He often used to play in forest and soon, learnt to imitate sound of birds and animals.
One day famous musician Swami Haridas and his disciples were resting under a tree. Tansen frightened disciples of Swami Haridas by roaring like a tiger. Although group got scared, Swami Haridas didn’t punish him. He identified Tansen’s talent and went to Tansen’s father to ask permission to train him as a singer. Tansen stayed with Swami Haridas for eleven years and became a great singer at Rani Mrignaini’s court. By this time Tansen’s father had died. His dying wish was that Tansen should visit Mohammad Ghaus, a holy man of Gwalior.
At Rani Mrignaini’s court, Tansen met Hussaini and married her. couple had five children who were all musical. Tansen joined Emperor Akbar’s court in 1556. Soon he became a great favourite and received many gifts from Emperor Akbar. This made some of courtiers very jealous of Tansen.
Shaukat Mian, one of courtiers, along with other people from court plotted to destroy Tansen.
He requested Akbar to make Tansen sing Raga Deepak. He knew that this Raga would burn him to ashes. Tansen was afraid but he didn’t want to disobey king. He asked king to give him time to prepare. At home, he taught Raga Megha to his daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupwati. He knew that this raga known to bring rain.
When Tansen started singing, all lamps started to light and soon it was very hot. At that time Saraswati and Rupwati sang Raga Megha. This brought rain and cool Tansen down. Although Tansen’s life was saved, he became very ill. Akbar felt sorry and punished those who caused him suffering. Later, Tansen got well and composed several other ragas. His tomb is in Gwalior.