TANSEN
~Summary~
-by Khushwant Singh
The story 'Tansen' is about the greatest musician of India. He was the only child of his parents. His father was a singer named Mukandan
Misra. As a child, he spent a lot of time in the forest playingand imitating the voice of birds and animals. SwamiHaridas recognised his
talent and assured his father that he could make Tansen into a great singer. Tansen's father agreedto it. Thus, Tansen left his parents and
stayed along with Swami Haridas for eleven years and became a good singer. Unfortunately,Tansen's parents died around this time. Tansen
decided to live along with a holy man named Mohammad Ghaus to fulfil his father's dying wish. After some time, Tansen married Hussaini
and had five children. Tansen's family members had a good musical background.
When Akbar noticed Tansen's talent, he appointed him to his court. Although this paved the way for a strong musical bond
between Tansen and Akbar, Tansen's fellow courtiers were envious on him. They plotted to kill him by making him sing
Raga Deepam.
Tansen had a thought after some time. He gave practice to his daughter and her friend to sing Raga Megh in order to balance the warm effect
of Raga Deepam. The nature of these two Ragas are, Raga Deepak will create a warm atmosphere and burn the singer into ashes; whereas,
Raga Megh produces rain. On the appointed day while singing Raga Deepak, Tansen was saved but was fell ill. He got recovered after some
time. Also, Akbar punished the enemies of Tansen. He served Akbar's court till 1585 until his death. His tomb in Gwalior is still a pilgrimage
centre for musicians.
~Conclusion~
Tansen went on to become even more popular for his music. He had given an excellent display of talent as well as wisdom. The Emperor
punished the courtiers who had devised the plan and he honoured Tansen by keeping him in his court until the day the great musician
died in 1585. Tansen’s tomb in Gwalior remains a place of importance even today.