Tansen

Exercise

Questions

1. Why did Swami Haridas say Tansen was 'talented'? 

Answer: Tansen could imitate perfectly the calls of birds and animals. One day he frightened the Swami Haridas and his disciples by the roar of tiger. That is why Swami Haridas told his father that his son was very talented. 

2. Why did Akbar ask Tansen to join his court? 

Answer: Akbar was so impressed by the singing of Tansen that he insisted Tansen to join his court and ultimately became court musician of Akbar in 1556.

3. How do we know that Akbar was fond of Tansen? Give two reasons. 

Answer: Tansen was great favorite of Emperor. The two reasons that show that the Akbar was fond of Tansen are:

1. Akbar would call upon Tansen to sing at any time during the day or night. 
2. Akbar would just walk into Hansen's house to hear him practice. 

4. What did the other courtiers feel about Tansen? 

Answer: The other courtiers were very jealous of Tansen. 

5. (i) What happens if Raga Deepak is sung properly? 

Answer: The legends say that if the Raga Deepak is sung properly, it makes the air so hot that the singer is burnt to ashes. 

(ii) Why did Tansen's enemies want him to sing the Raga? 

Answer: It is said the if the Raga Deepak is sung properly, it makes the air so hot that the singer is burnt to ashes. The enemies of Tansen want to get rid from him that is why they conspired to make Tansen sing Raga Deepak. 

6. Why did Tansen agree to sing Raga Deepak? 

Answer: Tansen agreed to sing Raga Deepak as he does not want to diobey the Emperor Akbar. 

7. (i) What steps did he take to save himself? 

Answer: It is said the if Raga Megh is sing properly it brings rain. He taught his daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupvati the Raga. They practised night and day for two weeks. 

On the appointed day when Tansen sung the Raga Deepak, leaves dried up, birds fell dead. At once Sarswati and Rupvati began to sing Raga Megh the rain started and Tansen was saved. 

(ii) Did his plan work? How? 

Answer: Yes, Tansen’s plan worked perfectly. When he sang Raga Deepak, the surroundings became warm, leaves dried up, birds fell dead. Just then, Saraswati and Rupvati began to sing Raga Megh, the sky filled with dark clouds and the rain came down suddenly and this saved Tansen’s life and the surroundings from more damage.

8. Are you interested in music? Do you like classical music? Name a few distinguished Indian musicians. 

Answer: Yes I am very fond of music. I like all type of music but classical is my favorite, because it is part of most religions of the world. The some of the world renowned Indian musicians are as under: 

1. Indian sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar is best remembered for his pathbreaking collaborations with George Harrison and Yehudi Menuhin.

2. Ustad Zakir Hussain. This prodigy gave his first concert at the tender age of 7. This master tabla player and percussionist is internationally acclaimed.

3. Bismillah Khan was a reputed classical musician, credited with popularizing the shehnai. 

4. AR Rahman (1967 – present). A living legend, his music has the potential to touch the deeper places in the human heart.

5. Jagjit Singh (1941 – 2011). This renowned Indian singer, writer and musician was famously dubbed as the 'Gazal King'.

6. Known as the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar is one of the most prominent and highly respected singers of Indian cinema.