Great TANSEN - Page 2

Tansen



Tansen, the court musician of Mughal Emperor Akbar is considered to be one of the greatest musicians that ever lived. He was one of the Navratnas (Nine Jewels) of Akbar's court.

Born in 1506 in Gwalior, Tansen took his training in music under guru Haridas. Initially he went to the court of Raja Ram Baghela, the ruler of Gwalior. Later, he migrated to the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Tansen is believed to be the originator of Hindustani Music. He also popularized the 'Dhrupad' style of music. There are many legends associated with Tansen. It is said that he could create rain by singing the Rag Megh Malhar and create fire by singing Rag Dipak.

Tansen created many rags on his own. Famous among them are Mian ki Malhar, Mian ki Todi and Darbari Kanada. He died in 1589 and was buried according to his wishes near the grave of his mentor, Ghaus. A national music festival known as 'Tansen Sangeet Sammelon' is held every year in December, near his tomb at Behat as a mark of respect to his memory. Today, Tansen's followers are popularly known as "Senia Gharana".

The Tansen Sangeet Samelan or The Tansen Utsav or The Tansen Festival there might be several names for this event but the motive of the event is the same and that is to provide the conssieurs of the music with the best possible music by the best in the art. This festival is celbratedin the memory of one of the greates artists in the history, Tansen. Tansen was one of the nine gems in the court of one of the greatest rulers of India, King Akbar.

The Tansen Festival is held in Gwalior near the tomb of Tansen at Behat. The tomb build in the very best of the early Mughal architectural style is now a part of the Gwalior's cultural heritage. Renowned classical singers from the country gather and perform for five night-long sessions. The best in these arts come and display there art forms and feel proud to play in front of such a large audience and near the tomb of one of the greatest musicians of the Mughal era.

The city of Gwalior is also famous for housing one of the oldest and well known music Gharana (Family of people famous for singers) of Indian classical music. That is why, for celebrating the being of one of the greatest musicians of all time, Gwalior have been selected as the place to hold this festival.

Tansen - The Magical Musician

Now Tansen's body was hot and feverish, but absorbed in Deepak Raga he continued to sing vigorously. Seeing Tansen in this state, Rupa became anxious and was unable to start singing. Then slowly, although waveringly at first, she began singing Megh Raga...

by Ashok Davar; National Book Trust, India





Almost exactly in the centre of India is a town called Gwalior. In this town is the tomb of Tansen, one of the greatest musicians that ever lived.Next to his beautifully carved stone tomb stands a little tamarind tree. It is believed that by eating a leaf of this tree and touching the tomb, a singer can improve his voice.

If this sounds like magic, the story of Tansen is equally magical. Even today, many famous musicians follow the style of music created by Tansen known as the "Gwalior Gharana".

About four hundred years ago, in a village near Gwalior, lived a wealthy poet, Mukand Mishra, and his wife. Their only sorrow was that they had no children. On the suggestion of a friend, Mishra went to Gwalior to seek the blessings of the famous saint and musician, Mohammad Ghaus. He tied a holy thread on Mishra's arm, saying, "May God bless you with a son." And so it came to pass. A child was born and named Tansen. As Tansen grew up his father engaged teachers to teach him to read and write. Tansen, however, was more interested in going to the nearby forest with his friends, where he would imitate bird and animal sounds.


Once a group of singers were passing through the forest. Tansen hid himself in some bushes and roared like a tiger. So life-like was the sound that the singers became frightened. When the boy showed himself, the leader of the group praised his tiger-like roar. Encouraged, Tansen made more animal and bird sounds.

The leader was greatly impressed by Tansen's performance. He was none other than the famous music teacher, Haridas.

Haridas offered to take Tansen as his disciple. "He has great musical talent," said Haridas to Tansen's father. Most reluctantly, Tansen's mother agreed to let her only child go away to Brindaban to study under Haridas. For almost ten years Tansen studied music from Haridas. Starting with the basic musical notes SA RE GA MA PA DHA NI SA, he learnt the basics of singing and playing the tanpura. He learnt about the different ragas of Indian music and how each raga creates a different mood. A raga can make you so happy that you want to dance, or it can make you so sad that it brings tears to your eyes.

Then one day there was a message from home that his father was very ill. When Tansen arrived home he found his father on his death-bed.

"I am happy that you have become a musician. Go and see Mohammad Ghaus," were his father's last words to him.

Tansen remained at home to look after his mother, but within a year she, too, died.

Now Tansen was free to keep his promise to his father to go to Mohammad Ghaus and be trained by him. But, in keeping with Indian tradition, he went to seek permission to learn under a new guru from his first guru, Haridas.

"You must obey your father's wishes, but you will always be welcome here. You are like a son to me," said Haridas. And he gave him his blessings.


Tansen studied under Mohammad Ghaus for three years, developing his musical talent.

During that time Mohammad Ghaus introduced Tansen to the ruler of Gwalior. They became good friends and Tansen would often visit the ruler's palace, where he would listen to other musicians.

During his visits to the palace, Tansen met Husani, one of the women who attended on the ruler. Like her name "the beautiful one", Husani was truly beautiful. Tansen fell in love with her and married her.

A few years later Mohammad Ghaus died, leaving his property and money to Tansen. Tansen settled in Mohammad Ghaus's house and his family was raised there. One day a messenger arrived from the court of Rewa, near Gwalior. The messenger opened the scroll and read: "King Ramchandra of Rewa would like you to be a musician at his court."

This was a great honour and the first step in Tansen's rise to fame.


King Ramchandra admired Tansen's singing and lavished many expensive gifts on him. Once he gave him a thousand gold coins.

Then one day the Emperor, Akbar, went on a visit to Rewa. King Ramchandra arranged for Tansen to entertain his royal guest.

The emperor was greatly impressed by Tansen's music and, soon after his return, sent a message to Ramchandra requesting him to send Tansen to his court.

King Ramchandra did not want to part with Tansen, but he could not afford to displease the powerful Akbar. After all, Akbar was the Emperor of India, and Ramchandra was only the king of a small state in Akbar's empire.
So, reluctantly, King Ramchandra sent Tansen as a royal gift from one court to another escorted by his own men.

Tansen received a royal welcome in the capital city of Agra. Akbar was so impressed by Tansen's music that he bestowed on him the highest honour of the land. Tansen was included among his navratna, nine jewels – the nine most outstanding talents of the royal court.

Besides performing in the court, Tansen would often sing alone for the Emperor. At night he sang ragas that would soothe and help Akbar fall asleep, and in the morning Tansen sang special ragas that would gently awaken the Emperor.

There are many stories told about the power of Tansen's music. It is said that when Tansen sang, birds and animals would gather to hear him.

Once, during a hunting expedition, Emperor Akbar spotted a white elephant which he wanted for himself. The elephant was captured and brought to the palace. The elephant, however, was fierce and wild and would not be tamed.

When Tansen heard of this, he went to the elephant, which was chained and struggling with the trainers.

He began to play the tanpura and sing. Gradually the elephant became calm, and soon the emperor was able to mount and ride it. Emperor Akbar bestowed honours and gifts on Tansen. Tansen was given a house very close to the royal palace.

One evening, Emperor Akbar decided to visit Tansen. When the Emperor arrived, Tansen was singing and playing the tanpura. The Emperor sat quietly in the verandah and listened to him.

So pleased was the Emperor with Tansen's music that after the performance he took off his diamond necklace and presented it to Tansen.

Some courtiers became very jealous of the Emperor's high regard for Tansen. They began plotting Tansen's downfall.

They stole the diamond necklace given by the Emperor and told him that Tansen had sold it for a large sum of money.

When summoned to the royal court and asked to produce the necklace, Tansen was unable to do so.

The Emperor flew into a rage. "You will be banished from the court till you can present yourself wearing the necklace," roared the Emperor.

Tansen was in disgrace. He had no one to turn to. At last he thought of King Ramchandra and set off for Rewa.

Ramchandra welcomed his former court musician. After hearing the whole story, the king said, "Don't worry. Just sing for me."

Tansen sang two beautiful ragas for the king.

"Your singing is now superb. You have brought me great joy," said Ramchandra. And as a token of appreciation, he presented his jewelled sandals to Tansen.

Tansen rushed back to Agra and placed the jewelled sandals in front of the Emperor. "Sire, please take the diamonds from these and forgive me."

The jewelled sandals were worth much more than the necklace. The Emperor immediately realized that he had misjudged Tansen and said, "Your music is much more valuable than diamonds to me. I should never have doubted you. You may return to the court as my royal musician."

Tansen's fame spread far and wide. People said Tansen was the greatest singer to have been born in a thousand years. Tansen's enemies once more grew jealous and began to plot his downfall. They suggested to the Emperor that he command Tansen to sing Deepak Raga for him.

Deepak Raga was one of the most difficult ragas to sing. Besides, so much heat would be caused by a perfect rendering of this raga that not only would lamps alight, but the singer's body too would burn to ashes.

When Akbar asked Tansen to sing Deepak Raga Tansen pleaded, "Sire, Deepak Raga can set the singer himself on fire. But the Emperor would not listen. "If you are the greatest singer in the land, you must accept this challenge," insisted Emperor Akbar.

Tansen knew that singing Deepak Raga was dangerous, but he also knew that if Megh raga, which brings the rain, could be sung at the same time, he would be saved from the fury of fire.

"But how can I sing both ragas at the same time," Tansen thought worriedly to himself, as he roamed in the garden of his house. Suddenly he had an idea. Maybe Rupa, a devoted disciple of Haridas, could sing with him.

With the permission of Haridas, Rupa agreed to sing. Rupa was already a very good musician. Tansen used the fifteen days preparation time, granted by Akbar, to train her. At the end of the two weeks, Rupa had perfected the singing of Megh Raga.

On the day of the performance, the court was packed with courtiers and royal guests. People had come from far and near to hear Tansen sing the most difficult of all ragas, Deepak Raga.

Unlit lamps were placed on the walls. Tansen was waiting with his tanpura in hand and, as soon as the Emperor entered and sat on the throne, the great musician began the alap - the first portion of a raga.

As Tansen sang on, the surrounding air got warmer and warmer.

The audience started perspiring. Leaves and flowers in the garden dried and fell to the ground. Water in the fountains began to boil. Birds flew away to escape. The lamps lit up and flames appeared in the air. People fled from the court in terror. As the Emperor got up and stood, listening with awe, a rose that he often held in his hand drooped and died.

Now Tansen's body was hot and feverish, but absorbed in Deepak Raga he continued to sing vigorously.

Seeing Tansen in this state, Rupa became anxious and was unable to start singing. Then slowly, although waveringly at first, she began singing Megh Raga.

As her voice grew stronger and soared, the sky became dark with clouds. Soon rain came pouring down. Many among the audience rushed out to be cooled by the rain. Soon everything returned to normal. People showered praises on Tansen's genius. Though the Emperor was very pleased, he was shocked that he had almost lost his greatest musician to the fire of the singer's own music.

Tansen's fame now spread like the flames of Deepak Raga.

For the singer himself, however, the internal fire lit by Deepak Raga did not cool easily. Tansen fell ill and it was two months before he could return to the court.

Tansen sang and taught in Emperor Akbar's court for many years. He was not only a musician, but also a poet. He wrote the words for his music and composed many new ragas.

When Tansen died Emperor Akbar was at his bedside. The Emperor was filled with great sorrow. He knew that India had lost her greatest musician and singer. But Tansen's music has lived on and been passed on from guru to disciple.

And every year in Gwalior, near Tansen's tomb, a music festival is held. Musicians come here from all over India to perform and pay homage to Tansen.

This painting depicts Swami Haridas as the main protagonist Clad in bare clothings, he holds the lute, singing in praise of God. Haridas was devoted to music and his songs had a divine air about them. Having heard his praises, Akbar who himself was dedicated to music, accompanied Tansen to visit the saint. Akbar is dressed as a common man; appearing humble in form and gesture; hands held together in reverence and barefoot. Even if Akbar was unidentifiable owing to his common man look, the artist inscribes the name next to him as with other figures. Tansen sits in obeisance – one great musician paying respect to the other. His clothes give away his royal connection but his gesture and expression are full of humbleness.

The background shows dense vegetation comprising of all kinds of trees and bushes. Humming birds, peacocks, parrots and monkeys dot the greenery. Dark clouds accumulate in the sky though the area around Swami Haridasa is illuminated, according reverence to the saint. A lone peacock struts in the foreground.

This description by Renu Rana.

The celebrated Singer and the court Musician of Emperor Akbar can be considered a symbol of unification of Muslim and Indian cultural traits in music.

Tansen's rendering of ragas was so perfect that it would bring salutary effects characteristic of a raga. Tansen's rendering of Deepak Raga was so perfect it lit the unit lamps in the court hall of Akbar and Flames did appear and began to spread. He at once made his companion whom he tutored to sing Meghamalhar that brought rain that extinguished the flames.

One day the Emperor Akbar questioned his court musician Tansen: "How is it that your songs never had such an impact and influence on me as the songs of a saintly street singer? Tansen replied: "Maharaja ! while I sing, I look upon your face to see whether you are pleased or not but a street singer being a Hari Das sings to please Hari whose charming face he visualises in his heart." All art in Bharath has been Divinely inspired. The artists did much sadhana (Jap, Dhyana, Namasmarana) to clarify their intellect and purify their heart. As a result of this sadhana and simple life and high thinking sub lime strains of music and verse flowed out of their pens.

TANSEN

THE TEACHER OF MAGICAL MUSIC

B.M. MALHOTRA



Tansen with its Guru Swami Haridas in a Kishangarh painting.



Many fascinating legend surrounds the name by Tansen, the musician and classic magical singer who brightness with splendor in the cut of the emperor mogol, Akbar the Great one, like one of its famous nine jewels (Nau Rattan) during century sixteen. One said that there was counted with a unique technique and a voice to sing several ragas (musical notes) classic of hindustan music in its prstina glory of so effective form that, not only fascinated its listeners, but that also evoked respect and admiration because towards certain miracles. With the power of its music it could ignite candles that were dull, to calm wild animals, to cure diseases, to bring rain and to cause that trees and shrubs brought forth and had flowers of colors.

The lack of a biography authenticates or definitive of Tansen it has given rise to many speculations and conjectures on its life and its profits. One calculates generally that it lived from 1506 to 1589. Nevertheless, the history of the life of this symbol that remains, can remember considering the present points of view that are based on circumstantial, deductive and collateral considerations.

Histories of their impressive musical talent have arrived at last us during the four centuries, mainly counted of mouth in mouth from a generation to another one. These narrations have found echo in fiction stories and woven historical novels on their life. Also two largometrajes in hindi have taken place titleholders Tansen (1943) and Sangeet Samrat Tansen (1962). Tansen, in which the great K.L. Saigal and the singing heroin of that time, Khurshid, interpreted to Tansen and to Tani, respectively, it was a great musical success by his songs of classic solistas and the pairs based on ragas classic and sung melodiosamente by the pair that still is appraised with nostalgia even at the moment.

In that film, Tansen they show taming it to an elephant intruder, turning a corner of a forest a garden of flowers and igniting diverse lamps of the palace of the emperor singing ragas Shankara, Bahar and Deepak, respectively. Also it causes that several musical instruments are called on by themselves to accompany their songs by Dhrupad in the cut of the emperor. Tani, when singing in oration form] to raga Megh Malhar, causes that the clouds produce rain on the Tansen that this burning itself, freeing it that an atrocious suffering.


K.L. Saigal and Khursheed in "Tansen"




In a little usual appearance in the scene between the equipment of the studies and others, Saigal introduced that period and clothes of film, announcing that (under poetic license) had taken place some changes with respect to the original argument to make it but interesting and that asked the spectators its indulgence to see it under he himself spirit, that is to say, separating its faculties you criticize and analytical. In the same way, the hearing I enjoy the film immensely, by what the old poet, S.T. Coleridge recommended in a different context, "a wished suspension of incredulity".

It is certain that he considers himself that music tranquilizes, he moves and he hypnotizes. Also he can cure diseases provided the patient is sensible to her and has faith in their therapeutic powers. According to an eminent musiclogo and psychiatrist, music accelerates the production of the agents who alleviate the pain in the body of the lovers of music and cures the anxiety, the depression, migraa and the insomnia of effective form. In addition, one knows that to the rate and meloda that provides so much vocal music as instruments, find direct access in the recondite secrets but of the soul of a man, doing it but calm, but amiable, of better behavior and but reasonable. Shakespeare said:

"The hath man that not music in himself,
Nor is not you move with concord of sweet sounds,
For Is fit treasons, stratagems and spoils;
The motions of his spirit plows dull ace night,
And his affections dark ace Erebus:
Let such does not man be trusted "

("The man who does not have music in his interior,
Nor he affects the harmony of the sweet sounds,
He is adapted for the treasons, the stratagems and booties;
The operation of its spirit so is extinguished as the night,
And its dark affection like Erebos: That one does not trust a man

Tansen, to which Abul Fazal, another one of nine jewels of Akbar, described as "a inimitable musician in thousand anuses" were born of Mukand Pandey, a Brahman and his wife, Parvati, in the town of Behat near Gwalior. Officially it was baptized as Ram Rattan but called it by the nicknames of Ramtanu, Tana and Trilochan. According to a common belief, the Tansen boy became to the Islam when the mystic and singer sufi, Mohammad Ghaus de Gwalior, when being giving the blessing to him, gave a little him its own roll of betel of which it had eaten half. Before the birth of Tansen, their parents had prayed in the temple of Shiva of their town and were able the blessings of Ghaus to have granted to him please to have a son. Ghaus had prophesied then that a son would be born to them who would be equipped with a special talent and that he would become very famous. Supported and consoled by the greater ones of its community, now they allowed that the boy remained with Ghaus. Tansen grew like asceta under the care of santo sufi, in search of melodas and imbuyendo the philosophy of the impartiality and devotion to God. But it never returned to see his parents who suffocated in a tragedy of a boat.

When he was even a boy, Tansen discovered music in different forms from the nature, such as the blowing of seeing, the gorjeo of the birds and the animal sounds and began to sing of devotee form, just like Ghaus, praising to God. It received his first regular formal formation in the school of music founded on Gwalior by the connoisseur of the beautiful arts, Raja Man Singh Tamar (1480-1518). Later, dumb Tansen to Vrindavan where it systematically learned but music during four anuses with Swami Haridas (1537) - 1632), a great scholar and musician santo who prayed with devotion to Lord Krishna and thought that he could be included/understood to God through music, assimilating the main thing of all ragas and I get to be a perfect instrumentalist vocalista and. Also change the name of Tana by the one of Tansen.

After leaving Vrindavan with the blessings of his guru, in the first place, the Maharaja Ram Niranja Singh de Gwalior and, later, Raja Ram Chandra de Rewa named musician of their cuts. Akbar emperor who knew of his great fame and talent, made it call of Rewa and after listening to his masterful form to sing he introduced it in his own cut as singing main and I honor it with completes it of its nine jewels.

Tansen case with Hussaini Brahmani whose original name was Prem Kumari, that after its conversion to the Islam, change by the one of Hussaini. The Brahmani suffix had been added due to its Brahmines ancestors. She was a singer of talent of the cut of Rani Mrignayni de Gwalior. Tansen had five children, first that was born went a daughter to whom it put by Saraswati name and four children, Bilas Khan, Suratsen, Saratsen and Tarangsen which, with the passage of time, would be done completed singers.

Due to the malicious instigacin of some rival musicians of the cut, Akbar requested to him to Tansen that sang raga Deepak with whom it could instantaneously ignite lamps. In spite of the explanation of Tansen of that raga would generate a heat unbearable and that would burn the body to him, the emperor insisted on his desire and Tansen was forced to carry out it. When it was singing raga and, as the notes were raising of rate, all the lamps and candles of the real palace were illuminated providing great joy to Akbar and to the great one I number of its cortesanos that were present. Nevertheless, Tansen experiment a terrible heat in the body, but since it had anticipated his Saraswati daughter in advance, song raga antidote Megh Malhar with such devotion that soon the full cloud sky that brought rain to pitchers and that extinguished the flames that left the body of Tansen. Akbar sigh with lightening and moan to have forced its favorite singer to interpret the highly dangerous magician raga but.



Khursheed with Mubarak in "Tansen"


In 1586, Birbal, but the famous one of the nine jewels that were very united to Tansen, a treasonous conspiracy plotted and carried out by envious cortesanos passed away as resulting from. By that time also Saraswati died during a childbirth. Tansen that now was a octogenario and had but that passed his time of apogee, enough it was debilitated and the deaths of their dear beings depressed it and debilitated but. In the cut, their children helped him like support singers. Something later, seriously ill key and, in spite of the best possible treatment provided by the real doctors, died the 16 of April of 1589. Lamenting its death, Akbar I exclaim: "The musical meetings have been finished of the Earth. With the death of Tansen all music and joy have disappeared". According to another legend, at the moment of the death of Tansen, its Bilas son one raga ardent melancholic Khan song that I am called later Bilaskhani Todi and the body of Tansen I move and blessed its son. After that, I declare to Bilas Khan Khalifa (head) of the tradition of Tansen.

Tansen that I represent a magnificent fusion of the best thing of the Hindu and Muslim cultures, I perfect the style of classic song called Darbari or music of cut. Also it was the pioneering exponent of raga Darbari Kanada. It lived in an era on shining holy poets and composers like Surdas, Ramdas, Tulsidas, Meerabai, Naik Baiju and other that had it in great esteem. Raja Ram Niranjan de Gwalior had granted to add to the name of Tansen the area code "Miyan" like an honor that meant distinction and respect. Ragas Miyan Ki Todi, Miyan Ki Malhar and Miyan Ki Sarang was creations of Tansen that their descendants and successors of music had sung and interpreted with different musical instruments throughout the centuries.

Although Tansen died in Agra, was buried near the tomb of its first mentor, Sufi Mohammad Ghaus, in Gwalior. Thanks to the discovery of the tomb of Tansen in ruinous state, made by Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande (1860-1836), great devotee of music, at the present time a great Tansen Urs (commemorative musical festival) annual is celebrated, in its tomb that this already reconstructed and renewed. Haridas Jayanti also is remembered all the anuses in Vrindavan in samadhi of Swami Haridas, so completed and venerated guru of Tansen.

Originally posted by: charades

👏 👏 👏 --Vinnie.....Thanks for the collecting all the info and sharing with us.

Are maine socha music ki discussion ho rahi hai to Tansen ke bina adhura lagta hai😊

SWAMI HARIDAS

by

B. Chaitanya Deva

Swami Haridas has a highly significant place in the music of North
India, for the era in which he lived was an extremely active and
productive one. Therefore, Haridas found a fecund environment to give
of his best to society. He, perhaps, may not be considered a pioneer
in creating new forms of music, but was certainly a strong force in
the spread of dhrupad, particularly.

Near the brija land of Mathura and Brindavan, at Gwalior, Rajan Man
Singh Tomar, one of the most respected and generous patrons of
dhrupad, reigned for nearly three decades from 1486 A.D. Under his
enlightened support, dhrupad found a creative atmosphere for growth
and his efforts were the cause of the production of many songs in
the brij dialect, modelled on those of Vidyapati. In his court were
a galaxy of musicians such as Bakshu, Bhanu and Baiju and he was
eulogised by Tansen as one of his patrons.

The details of Haridas's life are not well known. There are two schools
of thought. According to one, he was born in 1480 A.D. in Rajpur,
near Brindavan. His father's name was Gangadhar and his mother's
Chitra Devi. At the age of twenty-five the youth was initiated into
sanyasa by one Asudhir, belonging to the Nimbarka tradition. Haridas
is said to have died in 1575 A.D. The second school holds that
Haridas' father was a Saraswat Brahmin from Multan. Ganga Devi was
his mother. The family migrated to a village called Khairwali Sarak,
near Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Haridas was born there in 1512 A.D. and
in his memory the place is now called Haridaspur. At the age of twenty-
five the young man became a sanyasi and left his mortal coil in 1607 A.D.

In any case, the significant fact was that from a very young age
Haridas was drawn to a life of a recluse and became a sanyasi. He
shifted his residence to Brindavan, the playground of the Immortal
Cowherd and his love Radha. There he built his asram (hermitage)
in Nidhuvan and sang his songs of the love of Radha-Krishna.

Swami Haridas' compositions may strictly be classed as Vishnupadas,
that is, songs in praise of Lord Vishnu (Lord Krishna). But even his
prabhandas which do not refer to Krishna have come to be known as
Vishnupadas, perhaps because of the mystic source of his music; but
they are musically constructed like dhrupads. He is also said to have
comstructed tirvats, ragamalas and such other forms. There are about
128 songs attributed to him, of which eighteen are philosophical and
a hundred and ten devotional. The former are known as Siddhanta pada
and the latter as Keli mala.

Haridas was deeply learned and widely acquainted with the music of his
days. He describes how Radha and Krishna are sporting, "Two beams of
light are playing. Unique are their dance and music. Ragas and raginis
of heavenly beauty are born. The two have sunk themselves in the ocean
of raga". Besides such descriptions, mention is found in his works
of stringed instruments like kinnari, aghouti, of drums such as mridanga,
daff. He also talks of ragas like Kedara, Gouri, Malhar and Vasant.

The swami was not only a great musician but also a great teacher. The
best known of his pupils was Tansen, one of the 'nine gems' of Akbar's
court. Tansen's tutelage with Swami Haridas is still a matter of
tradition and popular belief; there is no incontrovertible proof that
this was a fact. Also, neither Tansen's life nor his style of language
show the religious depth of his master, if he did learn with Haridas
at all. There is also a popular account that the renowned dhrupad singer
and composer, Baiju, was a contemporary of Tansen and a student of the
swami. This, however, is doubtful.

The respect that Swami Haridas has received is not merely because
of his musical genius, but also due to the literary beauty and
simplicity of his dhrupads. More than anything else his music and
language were inspired by the mystic experience of bhakti and he is
considered as one of the leading figures in the bhakti movement and
music.

Swami Haridas belonged to the tradition of madhura bhakti - Adoration
expressed in erotic terms. It is said that he was deeply affected
by the teachings of the Andhra philosopher and bhakta, Nimbarka (13th
Cen.), who sojourned in the North, spreading the gospel of Radha-Krishna
love. He propounded the pphilosophy of bheda-abheda: "the simultaneous
difference and non-difference". But Haridas' theology goes further
and embraces not merely the Love of Krishna and Radha but also the
witnessing of the Love, a state of mind called rasa. This aspect of
rasa, is the theme of all his songs and teachings. In such an ecstatic
condition of trance he sings of the play of Krishna among the bowers
of Brindavan; that is why his Lord is known as Kunj bihari (kunj =
bower, bihari = one who wanders). More than Krishna, Radha was the
central personality of all his poems. He says, "Who knows of the
quality of things more than Radha; if anyone has any knowledge at all,
it is by her grace. None knows the beauty of raga, tala and dance, as
Radha does".

Swami Haridas began the Haridasi school of mysticism and had many
spiritual disciples. The better known ones were Vitthal, Vipul, Viharin
Deva, Krishna Das who fostered his tradition of devotional music. The
main feature of this was that it was congregational. Groups of devotees
came together and sang of the Lord of Brindavan. In the brij district
this congregation is called samaj and is like the sankeertan of Bengal
and the bhajani gosti of South India.

Though one of the greatest musicians of his times, the saint was
completely indifferent to laurels and turned his face from all fame.
Once Emperor Akbar wanted to hear him. It was impossible to bring the
swami to the royal court; and the hermitage was out of bounds to
kings and such like. Therefore, Tansen thought of a ruse. Akbar would
go in rags as a tamboora bearer with Tansen to Nidhuvan! The two went
as planned and the Emperor listened with rapt wonder to the divine
music. On return to the court, Akbar remarked to Tansen, "How is it
that with all your virtuosity, your music is so insipid compared to
your guru's?". Tansen replied, "What else can it be: for I sing to
the Emperor of this land but he sings to the Emperor of Creation".

Thanx a lot. very gud topic and gud collection too 👏 👏

The Song of Songs

Sant Haridas was the man Tansen had spoken of. He had been Tansen's music teacher... we discussed him here in the past Swami Haridas - The Saint Musician But heres an enecdote between the two..

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Slowly, gently, the exhausted musician laid his tanpura on the carpet. The exquisite strains of raag darbari still vibrated within the hall. Emperor Akbar looked up, his eyes lit with admiration. "Wonderful!" he said. "Superb! I listen to you every day, but I can't seem to have enough!"

Tansen bowed in silent gratitude.

"I think you have the most wonderful voice in the world!" said Akbar.

"But I don't, Shahenshah!" said Tansen with a smile. "There is someone who sings far better than I do."

"Really?" cried the disbelieving Akbar. "Then I must have him sing in my court. Can you arrange it?"

Tansen shook his head. "I'm afraid he will not come, Sire."

"What! Not even if he hears that the emperor himself summoned him?"

"No, not even then."

This reply would have enraged any other emperor. But Akbar was different. "Very well, Ustadji," said Akbar, smiling into Tansen's half-scared eyes. "If he doesn't come, I shall go to him myself. Will you take me to him?"

"Yes, Sire, provided you do not come as the emperor of Hindustan."

"I shall go as a humble lover of music."

Sant Haridas was the man Tansen had spoken of. He had been Tansen's music teacher, and he lived the austere life of a hermit. When Tansen and the emperor reached his hut, he was busy with his daily chores. When they asked him to sing, he smiled but said firmly, "I am long past the age for singing." Even his favourite pupil could not persuade him to change his mind.

But Tansen knew how to get round him. He offered to sing before his guru. And he made a deliberate mistake. "That's not the right note, Tansen," cried his teacher, amazed. "What has happened to you?"

Tansen did not seem to understand his teacher and he made the same mistake again. Exasperated, Sant Haridas took the tanpura from Tansen's hands and sang the right note. Then he went on to the next and the next!

The melody of his voice spread across the forest, like the first glimmer of dawn or the fragrance of jasmine. Both Akbar and Tansen listened to him as if they were hypnotized, and the emperor realized that Tansen had spoken the truth. He had not known that music could be like this! He had certainly never heard anything like it before.

As they walked back, the emperor suddenly broke the silence to ask Tansen, "Why can't you sing like him, Ustadji?"

Tansen smiled. "Shahenshah, I sing at your command - the command of the emperor of Hindustan. But Guruji sings for one who is king of kings! His music springs from the depths of his soul, free and unasked for. How can my music hope to reach those heights?"