Chapter 4
Tansen
Short Questions and Answers
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What happened when Tansen sang Raga Deepak?
Answer: Flames shot up, lamps were lit, and people cried out in terror. -
Who sang Raga Megh to save Tansen?
Answer: Saraswati and Rupvati. -
What was the effect of Raga Megh?
Answer: The sky clouded over and rain came down. -
Was Tansen harmed while singing Raga Deepak?
Answer: Yes, he became very ill afterward. -
How did Akbar feel about Tansen’s suffering?
Answer: He was sorry for causing Tansen so much suffering. -
What did Akbar do to Tansen’s enemies?
Answer: He punished them. -
When did Tansen die?
Answer: In 1585. -
How long did Tansen remain Akbar’s court singer?
Answer: Until 1585, the year he died. -
Did Tansen compose new ragas?
Answer: Yes, he composed several new ragas. -
Where is Tansen’s tomb located?
Answer: In Gwalior. -
What is Tansen’s tomb considered for musicians?
Answer: A place of pilgrimage. -
Who were Saraswati and Rupvati in relation to Tansen?
Answer: They were his daughter and her friend. -
Why did people cry out in terror during Raga Deepak?
Answer: Because flames shot up and lamps were lit. -
What natural phenomenon occurred when Raga Megh was sung?
Answer: Rain came down. -
Was Tansen’s life at risk due to Raga Deepak?
Answer: Yes, singing it was dangerous and made him very ill. -
How did the city react after Tansen recovered?
Answer: The entire city rejoiced. -
Why did Akbar test Tansen with Raga Deepak?
Answer: His courtiers plotted to see him harmed. -
How did Tansen demonstrate his skill as a musician?
Answer: By singing Raga Deepak perfectly and surviving with the help of Raga Megh. -
Did Tansen remain loyal to Akbar despite the danger?
Answer: Yes, he continued as the court singer. -
What is the significance of Tansen’s tomb today?
Answer: It is a pilgrimage site for musicians honoring his legacy.
Long Questions and Answers
-
Describe the events when Tansen sang Raga Deepak.
Answer: Flames shot up out of nowhere, lighting lamps, and people cried in terror. The heat was dangerous, and Tansen became very ill. -
How were Tansen’s life and health saved?
Answer: Saraswati and Rupvati sang Raga Megh, which brought rain and counteracted the dangerous effects of Raga Deepak. -
What does the story say about Tansen’s dedication to music?
Answer: Despite the risk to his life, Tansen obeyed Akbar’s command and sang Raga Deepak perfectly. -
How did Akbar react to Tansen’s illness?
Answer: He felt sorry and regretted causing Tansen so much suffering. -
What action did Akbar take against those who plotted against Tansen?
Answer: He punished Tansen’s enemies for their mischief. -
How did the city react when Tansen recovered?
Answer: The entire city rejoiced at his recovery. -
How long did Tansen serve in Akbar’s court?
Answer: He remained the court singer until his death in 1585. -
What contribution did Tansen make to Indian classical music?
Answer: He composed several new ragas and became a legendary figure in music. -
What role did Saraswati and Rupvati play in Tansen’s survival?
Answer: They sang Raga Megh at the right time, counteracting the dangerous effects of Raga Deepak. -
Why is Tansen considered a courageous musician?
Answer: Because he faced a potentially deadly challenge with skill, courage, and planning. -
How did Tansen’s music affect nature according to the legend?
Answer: Raga Deepak created extreme heat, while Raga Megh caused rain, showing the mystical power of his music. -
What does the story suggest about teamwork and planning?
Answer: Tansen’s plan with Saraswati and Rupvati shows that careful planning and cooperation can overcome even dangerous challenges. -
How did Tansen balance fear and duty?
Answer: He obeyed the king’s command despite fear, showing loyalty and professionalism. -
What is the significance of Tansen’s tomb in Gwalior?
Answer: It is a place of pilgrimage for musicians and honors his legacy. -
How did Tansen demonstrate intelligence in handling Raga Deepak?
Answer: He devised a plan to counteract its dangerous effects by having Raga Megh sung simultaneously. -
How did Tansen’s enemies underestimate him?
Answer: They thought he would be burned by the Raga Deepak, not expecting his clever solution. -
How does this story highlight the power of music in Indian culture?
Answer: It emphasizes music’s mystical and transformative effects, capable of influencing nature and human emotions. -
How did the people react to the combination of Raga Deepak and Raga Megh?
Answer: They witnessed extraordinary effects and were amazed by Tansen’s skill and the rain that came. -
Why is Tansen remembered as one of the greatest musicians in history?
Answer: For his exceptional talent, courage, compositions, and legendary mastery of ragas. -
Summarize the moral of the story.
Answer: Courage, intelligence, and collaboration, combined with skill and dedication, can overcome even the most dangerous challenges, and true talent leaves a lasting legacy.
Here are the questions with their answers:
-
Why did Swami Haridas say Tansen was 'talented'?
Answer: Because even though Tansen was naughty, he had a natural gift for music and could learn and sing very well. -
Why did Akbar ask Tansen to join his court?
Answer: Akbar was impressed by Tansen’s musical talent and wanted him to sing in his court. -
How do we know that Akbar was fond of Tansen? Give two reasons.
Answer: Akbar would call Tansen to sing at any time, even during the day or night, and he often visited Tansen’s house to hear him practice. -
What did the other courtiers feel about Tansen?
Answer: They were jealous and wanted to get rid of him. -
(i) What happens if Raga Deepak is sung properly?
Answer: It produces so much heat that the singer could be burnt to ashes.
(ii) Why did Tansen’s enemies want him to sing the Raga?
Answer: They hoped he would die from its dangerous effects and be removed from the court.
-
Why did Tansen agree to sing Raga Deepak?
Answer: Because he could not disobey the king’s command. -
(i) What steps did he take to save himself?
Answer: He taught his daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupvati to sing Raga Megh, which would bring rain and counteract the heat of Raga Deepak.
(ii) Did his plan work? How?
Answer: Yes, it worked. When Tansen sang Raga Deepak, the flames rose and lamps caught fire, but Saraswati and Rupvati sang Raga Megh, which brought rain and saved him.
Answer by Mrinmoee
