Tansen the Famous Musician

In June, SARA BUBBER celebrates World Music Day. The story of Tansen shows how a great teacher recognized the musical talents of a young boy through a prank he played and went on to make him the best musician ever known. Tansen, a music lover and a maestro went through many upheavals and created melodies that still inspire musicians and musical traditions.

- SARA BUBBER

This story comes from the centre of India, from the city of Gwalior. Many years ago there lived a wealthy poet, Pandit Mishra, and his wife. They were sad that they had no children. A friend asked them to meet a famous saint and musician, Mohammad Ghaus. He blessed the Pandit and tied a holy thread and as predicted, a child was born named Ram Tanu.

Ram Tanu loved going to the forest more than he wanted to read and write. Sitting in the forest, he would imitate bird and animal calls.

Once a group of singers were passing through the forest. Tansen hid himself in some bushes and roared like a tiger. So lifelike 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 went to Ram Tanu’s house and asked his parents if he could train the brilliant sound artist. His parents reluctantly agreed to send their only child away.

Starting with the basics, Ram Tanu mastered the art of singing and creating music called ragas.

He earned the name Tansen because of his beautiful melodies. Ten years passed and he got a message to visit his father. As Tansen reached, his father was very ill and his last message for him was to visit Mohammad Ghaus, by whose grace Tansen was born. Tansen remained at home to look after his mother, but within a year she, too, died. Tansen wanted to visit Mohammad Ghaus and he went to Haridas for permission. Haridas gladly agreed and told him to visit whenever he wanted. Tansen studied under Mohammad Ghaus for three years, developing his musical talent.