Chapter 5 

                                                            Tansen


1. Who was Tansen, and why is he remembered in Indian history?

Answer: Tansen was one of the greatest classical musicians India has ever produced. He was a legendary singer in the court of Emperor Akbar and is remembered for his deep knowledge of music, his powerful voice, and his contribution to Indian classical ragas.


2. Describe Tansen’s childhood and early nature.

Answer: Tansen was the only child of his parents. He was naughty but extremely talented. He often ran away to the forest and learned to imitate the sounds of birds and animals perfectly, showing his natural musical ability.


3. How did Tansen imitate birds and animals?

Answer: Living close to nature, Tansen carefully listened to birds and animals in the forest. Over time, he learned to copy their calls so perfectly that even humans could not distinguish them from real sounds.


4. What prank did Tansen play on the travellers in the forest?

Answer: Tansen hid behind a tree and roared like a tiger to frighten a group of travellers who had stopped to rest in the forest.


5. Who was Swami Haridas, and what was he doing in the forest?

Answer: Swami Haridas was a famous singer and a holy man. He was travelling through the forest with his disciples when Tansen played the prank.


6. How did Swami Haridas react to the tiger’s roar?

Answer: Swami Haridas remained calm and told his disciples not to be afraid. He believed that not all tigers were dangerous and suggested they find out what was really happening.


7. How was Tansen discovered during the prank?

Answer: One of Swami Haridas’s disciples noticed a small boy hiding behind a tree and realized that there was no tiger—only a naughty child.


8. Why did Swami Haridas not punish Tansen?

Answer: Swami Haridas saw that although Tansen was naughty, he was extremely talented. He believed that with proper training, Tansen could become a great singer.


9. What did Swami Haridas say to Tansen’s father?

Answer: Swami Haridas told Mukandan Misra that Tansen was very naughty but also very talented and that he could train him to become a good singer.


10. At what age did Tansen begin his formal music training?

Answer: Tansen was ten years old when he went away with Swami Haridas to learn music.


11. How long did Tansen study music under Swami Haridas?

Answer: Tansen lived with Swami Haridas for eleven years and learned music from him during this time.


12. What happened to Tansen’s parents during his training?

Answer: While Tansen was learning music, both his parents passed away.


13. What was Mukandan Misra’s dying wish?

Answer: Mukandan Misra wished that Tansen should visit Mohammad Ghaus of Gwalior, a holy man to whom he was deeply devoted.


14. Who was Mohammad Ghaus, and how did he influence Tansen?

Answer: Mohammad Ghaus was a holy man in Gwalior. Tansen lived with him for some time and gained spiritual guidance and discipline.


15. How did Tansen come into contact with Rani Mrignaini?

Answer: While living with Mohammad Ghaus, Tansen was often taken to the court of Rani Mrignaini, who was herself a great musician.


16. Who was Hussaini, and how was she related to Tansen?

Answer: Hussaini was a lady in the court of Rani Mrignaini. Tansen married her, and she also became a disciple of Swami Haridas.


17. How many children did Tansen have, and what was special about them?

Answer: Tansen and Hussaini had five children, all of whom were very musical.


18. Why did Emperor Akbar invite Tansen to his court?

Answer: Akbar was deeply impressed by Tansen’s singing and insisted that he join his court as a royal musician.


19. How do we know that Akbar was fond of Tansen?

Answer: Akbar often asked Tansen to sing at any time, even at night, visited his house to hear him practise, and gave him many gifts.


20. Why were some courtiers jealous of Tansen?

Answer: The courtiers were jealous because Tansen was Akbar’s favourite and received special attention and honours.


21. What dangerous plan did Shaukat Mian suggest?

Answer: Shaukat Mian suggested that Tansen should be asked to sing Raga Deepak, which could burn the singer to ashes if sung perfectly.


22. What is believed to happen when Raga Deepak is sung properly?

Answer: It is believed that singing Raga Deepak properly creates intense heat, lighting lamps, drying leaves, boiling water, and even burning the singer.


23. Why did Akbar agree to the courtiers’ suggestion?

Answer: Akbar believed strongly in Tansen’s talent and was confident that he could sing any raga successfully.


24. Why was Tansen afraid to sing Raga Deepak?

Answer: Tansen knew the dangerous effects of Raga Deepak and feared that the heat would burn him to ashes.


25. Why could Tansen not refuse Akbar’s command?

Answer: As a court musician, Tansen had to obey the emperor’s orders, even if they put his life in danger.


26. What idea did Tansen come up with to save himself?

Answer: Tansen planned that Raga Megh should be sung at the same time to bring rain and counteract the heat of Raga Deepak.


27. Who helped Tansen carry out his plan?

Answer: Tansen’s daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupvati helped him by singing Raga Megh.


28. How did Tansen prepare the girls?

Answer: He trained them carefully and made them practise day and night for two weeks.


29. What instructions did Tansen give the girls?

Answer: He told them to wait until the lamps started burning and then begin singing Raga Megh.


30. Describe the effects of Raga Deepak during the performance.

Answer: The air became hot, people began sweating, leaves dried and fell, birds died, rivers boiled, and flames lit the lamps.


31. What happened when Raga Megh was sung?

Answer: Dark clouds gathered, rain poured down, and the heat was cooled, saving Tansen’s life.


32. How did the audience react to the event?

Answer: People cried out in terror during the heat but rejoiced when rain saved Tansen.


33. What happened to Tansen after the performance?

Answer: Tansen became very ill due to the extreme heat but later recovered.


34. How did Akbar react after realizing the danger Tansen faced?

Answer: Akbar felt sorry for causing Tansen so much suffering and punished the jealous courtiers.


35. What happened when Tansen recovered?

Answer: The entire city celebrated and rejoiced at his recovery.


36. How long did Tansen serve in Akbar’s court?

Answer: Tansen remained Akbar’s court singer until his death in 1585.


37. What were Tansen’s contributions to music?

Answer: Tansen composed several new ragas and enriched Indian classical music.


38. Where is Tansen’s tomb, and why is it important?

Answer: Tansen’s tomb is in Gwalior and is a place of pilgrimage for musicians.


39. What qualities of Tansen does the story highlight?

Answer: The story highlights Tansen’s talent, discipline, intelligence, courage, and devotion to music.


40. What message does the story of Tansen give us?

Answer: The story teaches that true talent combined with hard work, humility, and wisdom can overcome even the greatest dangers.

Answer by Mronmoee