Who was Tansen?
Q: Who was Tansen?
A: Tansen was a well known person of North Indian (Hindustani) classical music. He was born in a Hindu family in the historic city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and rose to fame and spent most of his adult life in the court and patronage of the Hindu king of Bandhavgarh (Rewa), Raja Ramchandra Singh (r.1555–1592).
Q: Where did he learn his art?
A: He learned and perfected and mastered his art in the Gwalior region of modern Madhya Pradesh under Swami Haridas.
Q: What title did Raja Vikramjit give him?
A: Raja Vikramjit gave him the title Tansen.
Q: How did he become famous?
A: He became famous for his musical abilities and studies. Mughal Emperor Akbar sent messengers to Raja Ramchandra Singh , requesting Tansen to join the musicians at the Mughal court. In 1562, about the age of 60, he joined Akbar's court.
Q: What titles were given to him by Akbar?
A: Akbar considered him as a Navaratnas (nine jewels) and gave him the title Mian in his honor, meaning learned man.
Q: What legends are associated with Tansen?
A: There are many legends about Tansen in Akbar court historian accounts and gharana literature such as being able to bring down rains with Raga Megh Malhar or light lamps by performing Raga Deepak or communicate with animals through music.
Q: What is one example of this communication with animals?
A: One legend says that once an elephant was captured but it was wild and could not be controlled until Tansen sang to it which calmed it down so that Emperor Akbar could ride it.
