A magician of music

Swapna

A magician of music

Tansen, who was the founder of Indian classical music, was one of Akbar's most valuable *navratnas*. His ‘Raga Deepak’ fanned the flames, his ‘Megha Malhar’ provided rain, his melodic song tamed wild elephants, and his bahars sprouted up flowers. This is the story of a man who ruled the Mughal emperor Akbar's heart through his talent.

Tansen, the father of Indian classical music, Image source- Indian Encyclopedia-WordPress.com

In 1493, an excellent singer and a well-known priest, Mukund Pandey, welcomed a baby boy into his family. He was given the name Ramtanu Pandey or ‘Tan Sen’. Mukund was not only a fantastic vocalist, but he was also a fantastic poet with a strong artistic bent. Tansen has always had a passion for music and writing as a result of his upbringing in such a family.

At the age of six, he displayed amazing musical abilities. In Brij Bhasha, (Western Hindi language) he composed and performed songs about the Gods at local temples. He was a notorious kid apart from his gifts, but being the only child, he was always cherished by his parents. He would often run away to play in the forest and imitate the sounds of animals and birds.

Tansen could perfectly replicate the sounds of any animal and his acts regularly terrified people. One day, Swami Haridas, a well-known singer, was traveling through the forest with his adherents when he found the mischievous Tanna. Impressed by his talent he took him on as a pupil right away and vowed to make him the greatest singer of all time.

Swami Haridas addressed Tansen's father and asked for permission to accompany him. Being a music lover, Mukund Pandey encouraged his kid to move with Swami to greater heights. Tansen's departure from his family at the tender age of 10 was difficult, but his love and passion for music enabled him to bear the burdens. He spent eleven years with Swami Haridas, learning all of the abilities he needed to become a great singer.

At the age of 21, he returned home. As he awaited the long-expected reunion with his father, but his hopes were dashed when he saw him on his deathbed. Tansen approached him just to find out his father in his death bed. He took a promise from him to meet Gwalior's Mohammad Ghaus and gasped for air as he spoke these words.

Tansen was crushed and traumatized, yet he headed for Gwalior to meet Mohammad Ghaus to fulfil his father's last wish. He took Tansen to Rani Mrignayani to perform at her court. Ghaus assisted Tansen in honing his musical abilities, transforming him into a mature and polished singer. He encountered Hussaini at Mrignayani's fort, with whom he fell in love, married, and had five children.

Later, Tansen was appointed to the court of Raja Ramchandra Singh. After a few months in the court, his music became famous, and he was recognized by the Mughal emperor, Akbar.

Akbar invited Tansen to join his court by sending an invitation to Raja Ramachandra's palace. Tansen had formed a close bond with the monarch by this time, and he was reluctant to leave his realm. The king, on the other hand, pushed him to accept the offer because it would bring him international renown.

Tansen was laid to rest near Mohammad Ghaus' tomb in Gwalior. According to some people, a tamarind tree grows above his grave. and it is believed that a person who eats a leaf from the tree is bestowed with Tansen's blessings as well as a lovely melodic voice.

Every year in December, a festival dedicated to Tansen is celebrated as Tansen's Samaroh in Behat of Gwalior. Musicians from all over the world attend the event to pay homage to Tansen, the musical genius.

Akbar, being a great patron of art, was massively impressed by Tansen's musical skills. Akbar would summon Tansen anytime to listen to his song and award him with so many precious presents. He was so enthralled by Tansen's song that he would retreat to his house alone during his rehearsal to listen to him.

Akbar counted him as one of his navaratnas and made him the cultural minister. He bestowed him with the title "Miyan", and Tansen came to be known as Miyan Tansen. He created several new ragas (choruses) and became widely popular for his Dhrupad compositions. Tansen wrote two music books, “Sri Ganesh Stotra” and “Sangita Sara”, which are widely regarded as the most important works on the subject.

He was a legend at his work and served in Akbar's court until his death. However, the reason for his death and the exact date of his death was kept secret. Akbar, along with his other courtiers, joined his funeral procession, which was performed according to Muslim rituls. This indicates that Tansen may have converted to Islam at some point in his life.