2.
1 Who was Tansen? Why did Akbar like him so much?
How did Akbar praise Tansen? Was this true praise of Tansen?
3 What was its effect on Tansen? What did he say to Akbar?
4. How did Tansen describe the music of his master?
5. Hearing about Swami Hari Das, What did Akbar wish? What did
he do to fulfil his wish?
Answers
Answer:
1) Tansen was a great musician. He was one of the 'Navratna' (or nine gems)at the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Emperor Akbar was very fond of Tansen's music and one day when Tansen was in a particularly good form, Akbar went into ecstasy.
2) He sang the Malkous raga, the ecstatic song enchanted everyone even the birds and beasts. Emperor Akbar was enraptured by the heavenly song. When he was about to praise him the Master vanished. Akbar asked Tansen the name of the raga and requested him to sing it in the same soul stirring way. Yes it was true praise.
3) don't know
4)Tansen described the music of his master as much superior. He sang for nobody. He sang only when the prompting came from his innermost self. Tansen felt himself pigmy before his master.
5)Tansen had warned Akbar that Swamiji would sing only if he wanted to. Akbar stayed at the ashrama for several days but Swami Hari Das did not sing. In the end, Tansen had to play a trick to make Hari Das sing. Thus Akbar's wish was fulfilled.
Hope it helps!