Jodha Akbar OS
" ..... Dha Ga Pa ma re Sa Dha ni re Sa" the last notes of the raag floated in the air and faded away. Jalal sat there for a moment more with his eyes closed, letting the effect of the melodious song sink in. He was on the upper floor of his khwabgah and had been listening to Tansen's morning recital.
"He is an excellent musician and a gifted singer.The Almighty gave him such a brilliant voice that delights everyone" he thought. "We are fortunate to have him in our court." He got up to go to the diwaan-e-khas for the daily hearings. Despite the early morning, it was already very hot and the first grey clouds were gathering. He longed for the monsoon rains that would cool the air at least for a little while. He sighed and descended the steps.
In front of the building, some of his court musicians stood and put their heads together. He bowed his head in greeting and continued to the anup talao in the middle of which, on the platform, Tansen carefully wrapped his rabab in a soft cloth.
"Subha bakhair, Tansen sahab. Your presentation was excellent. We enjoyed the raag immensely. Here take this." Jalal pulled a magnificent ring with a large gemstone from his finger and held it out to the musician.
"Dhanyavaad shahenshah! I am glad you liked my music." He bowed slightly.
"Always, Tansen sahab! You are unique. Come to diwaan-e-khas."
"Did you see that? Again he has been bestowed by His Majesty! When was the last time we got a grant?" one of the courtmusicians asked cynically.
"This cannot go on! His Majesty eyes and ears only last on Tansen! What about us?"
"You're right. His Majesty apparently doesn't want to hear our art anymore."
"It's always Tansen! We have to do something!"
"You're right! Listen! I have an idea! We'll beat him with his own weapons!"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, his own music will bring him down!" he looked round seeking approval.
"Bring him down?" "With his music?" the others exclaimed, staring at him in disbelief.
"Well, we all know Raag Deepak!" They all nodded in agreement.
"To sing it, you have to have a very well trained voice!" interjected a tabla player reverently.
"Ji! And Tansen will sing it!"
"So what? We know he can sing!" Another retorted.
"It is believed that Raag Deepak is meant to evoke the mood of intimacy between lovers and if someone perfectly sings Raag Deepak then it makes his surroundings so hot that a fire starts and burns the singer to ashes!"
"You are right!" Slowly the musicians began to understand.
"And how do we get him to sing the raag? He is well aware of the effect of the melody!"
"Well, he will sing it!"
"What makes you so sure?"
"His Majesty herself will ask him to!" He stared triumphantly around.
"How will that be done?"
"Well, we will tell His Majesty about the raag being so strong that it can light lamps! And that none other than Tansen is capable of singing the raag!"
"Ah, what a plan! I'm sure that will make His Majesty so curious that he will ask Tansen to do it. Excellent, Rahul!" he laughed maliciously.
"Who will tell His Majesty about this? Rahul, will you do it?"
"Ji, but I need two or three more of you to back me up!"
"We are on it! Let's go to the diwan-e-khas now. It's about to start raining."
"Let's audition right today! The sooner we get rid ofTansen." No sooner had they reached the protective roof of the diwan-e-khas than the sky opened its floodgates and the rain began to pour.
The public hearings had reached their end. Rahul came forward with three of his musician friends.
"Shahenshah. May we speek?"
"Granted! Speak!"
"Umm, have you ever heard about Raag Deepak?"
"No! Enlighten me!"
"This is a very powerful raag! It is associated with the night and is meant to evoke the mood of intimacy between lovers." Jalal smiled and his eyes wandered unobtrusively in Jodha's direction, who was sitting with the other ladies of the harem behind light curtains, shielded from views. Rahul continued speaking. "It is said, just by singing the melody, the candles ignite!" Jalal's curiosity was piqued.
"What you don't say!"
"Yes, yes! It is true!"
"Well, then sing it tonight and we'll see if it can light candles! Get everything ready!"
"Huzoor, there is a small problem!"
"What?"
"Well, it can only be performed by an excellent singer with a well-modulated voice!"
"Surely one can be found in your ranks!"
"Huzoor, only Tansen ji can perform the raag!" Tansen turned pale.
"Tansen sahab! Did you hear it? We wish you to sing this raag tonight!"
"Shahenshah, umm... this... this must be well prepared.I need some practice before I can sing the raag!" Jalal could not refuse his favourite singer anything.
"It is granted to you. You will perform the raag in two days! There will be a jashn at sunset two days from today! Prepare everything! Diwan-e-khas is closed!" Jalal rose and went to his khwabgah.
Tansen sat there in a daze. Raag Deepak! What had these fools got him into in their jealousy! They had tricked him! He pondered back and forth how to extricate himself from the dilemma. He was well aware that singing would burn him! Thoughtfully, he made his way to his lodgings.
The news that a jashn was to be held spreads like wildfire through the palace. Everyone was excited and looking forward to hearing Tansen sing.
"Shahenshah!" He looked up and smiled. "Jodha begum! Take a seat!"
"What a beautiful idea to have a jashn. The whole court is looking forward to hearing Tansen ji sing! He has such a gifted voice!" she said dreamily.
"Did you hear what the musician said?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"He said, this raag is meant to evoke the mood of intimacy between lovers." He looked at her romantically.
"Like you need music for that. Chi! I'll be leaving in a minute!" she stood up.
Jalal held her back by her arm.
"Jodha begum, you know that one look from your beautiful eyes is enough to set me on fire!"
"Shahenshah!" Her cheeks flushed with flaming redness. He pulled her to him. She gave up her resistance and snuggled against him. "Shahenshah you are naughty" she said softly.
"Say you don't like it Jodha!" he said hoarsely.She fell silent and they both surrendered completely to each other's closeness.
"Maryam makani Hamida Bano tashreef la rahe hain!" the guard announced. The two pulled apart in embarrassment. Hamida Bano smiled knowingly.
"Jalal, what a great idea to have a jashn! We haven't had an entertainment for a long time. The palace is bubbling over with anticipation of Tansen's performance."
"Umm ji, ammijaan." Jalal smiled sheepishly. Hamida Bano looked from one to the other with a fine smile.
"I will take a leave. You surely have important work. "With a broad smile on her face, she left the chamber.
"Ammijaan is right! We have an important work!" He grabbed Jodha and kissed her on her cheeks before his lips met hers. Taken by surprise, she returned his kiss before breaking away.
"Shahenshah! What if someone comes again?"
"Then he shall see how very shahenshah-e-hind is fondof his wife!" he grinned. "Look, the rain has stopped and it has cooled down." They looked out of the window. The wind was driving the clouds apart and thick wispy grey clouds were sweeping across the sky. Soon the sun would shine again and soak up the wetness of the rain. The heat would spread across the land again.
Tansen walked restlessly around his shelter. His daughter Saraswati saw that something was bothering him.
"Father, what is bothering you? You are so restless. I don't know you like this!"
"Oh beta. Shahenshah has asked me for something that I cannot fulfil. But how can I deny him a wish?"
"What did he ask you?"
"He asked me to sing for him!"
"But you do that every day!"
"But not the Raag Deepak!" he said tonelessly.
"Oh...!" Saraswati slapped her hand over her mouth in shock. She knew about the powerful raag.
"You cannot deny him his wish... But that means...!" She looked at him in horror.
"What am I going to do?" Tansen continued to pace back and forth! "Ah, perhaps there is a solution! Saraswati! Listen!"
"Shahenshah-e-Hind tashreef la rahe hain!"
"Shahenshah! We are almost done!" Jodha called out. Moti helped her close her necklace and said goodbye.
"There, we can go!" Jodha turned around.
"No, wait! Something is missing!" She looked at him questioningly. He put a rose petal in her hair, which he had hidden behind his back.
"Now you are ready!"
"You know how to please a woman!"
"Sure! Remember that night in the garden in Agra? Before Bakshi's wedding?" Jodha blushed.
"You put a rose in our hair there too!" she said softly. "That was a long time ago. We didn't know then that we were meant for each other."
"Let us go. We will listen to Tansen from our khwabgah.We also have a wonderful view of anup tulao from there. We will see if Tansen sahab can actually make the candles burn with his singing! Chalo!"
The courtyard around anup tulao was decorated with countless garlands of flowers. They gave off their beguiling fragrance and the setting sun bathed everything in a mild light. Rugs and cushions were spread everywhere. The nobles and courtiers had settled down on them and were talking animatedly. Servants handed out sharbat and sweets. Countless diyas and torches had been set up. Ready to be lit by Tansen's voice. Tansen had taken his rabab to the platform in the middle of the anup tulao. He cast an appraising glance at the sky. A few clouds were visible on the horizon. Saraswati sat behind her father on a soft cushion.
The last rays of the sun made the red sandstone glow once more before dusk spread like a soft cloth over the palace.
"Ready beta?" he asked Saraswati softly.
"Ji, father!"
Tansen began to play the rabab. He made the strings sound softly. A beguiling melody emanated from the instrument. The sound slowly swelled. Jalal and Jodha sat on the roof of his khwabgah and enjoyed the music.They sat side by side and Jalal had taken her hand in his. The piece of music ended with a passionate chord.
"Subhanallah!" "Subhanallah!" sounded from all sides. Tansen bowed his head in thanks. By now, night had fallen. Time for Raag Deepak! He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and began to chant. The rhythm became more and more insistent. Tansen played and sang fervently. Suddenly all the diyas and torches around anup tulao were lit! A murmur went through the audience. Tansen had actually managed to make the lamps burn with his singing! The music and the lights created an mystique atmosphere. On the khwabgah, Jalal and Jodha were overwhelmed by the powerful raag and Tansen's voice. Jodha listened with her eyes closed. Saraswati watched the scene from behind. She saw her father sweat. Little blue flames began to dance on the platform. Worried, she looked at her father. It got hotter and hotter! The flames became brighter. The air was extremely hot and vibrating. Tansen was sweating more and more. The flames were spreading on the floor towards him and had almost reached him. Saraswati took a deep breath and began to sing. The first notes of Raag Meg Malhar mingled with the powerful ones of Raag Deepak! Light wind came up and made the lights flicker. Clouds clustered into black-grey mountains in the night sky. The flames had reached Tansen and threatened to burn him. Saraswati sang! A wrong tone! She continued to sing! And suddenly it began to rain! Tansen sang the last notes and was relieved! Raag Megh Malhar had lived up to his reputation of having the power to bring out rain! He had fulfilled the wish of his ruler! The plan of his opponents had failed!
Jalal had watched the scene from above and was relieved that the rain had extinguished the flames! Everywhere servants and handmaids were running around bringing carpets and cushions to safety from the rain. The people withdrew. Jalal and Jodha had retreated inside the khwabgah.
"What an impressive performance!" said Jalal. "Tansen sahab actually managed to make the lights burn! Subhanallah! But he risked his life when the flames came at him! Why didn't he stop singing? Didn't he know that the fire could be dangerous to him? The rain saved him!"
"Shahenshah, he wanted to fulfil your wish! He didn't want to disappoint you!"
"You are right! We must reward him for that."
"His daughter was also very brave!"
"His daughter?"
"Ji, she sang Raag Megh Malhar! Do you know the meaning of it?"
"No! Please tell it to me!"
"Legends say that this raag has the power to bring out rains in the area where it is sung. Just as Raag Deepak starts fires."
"You mean, She made the rain happen with her singing?"
"Ji shahenshah! It saved him! Probably he knows about the raag and instructed his daughter!"
"Ya Khuda! That turned out well!"
"Ji, the monsoon soaked melody saved him!" Jodha smiled.
"We will reward him tomorrow. But now... " He moved closer to Jodha. "Your hair smells so beguiling!" he said romantically. He untied her topknot and let her long silky hair slip through his fingers. Slowly, he pushed her down on the bed. He reached for the rosepetal from her hair and slowly stroked the velvety petals across her forehead, her cheeks, her lips. Further along her neck, stopped at her collarbone. His lips followed the trace of the rosepetal. They trailed over her soft neck and stopped. They looked deep into their eyes. Lost in each other until their lips finally found each other.
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