TansenClass 9 English Chapter 4 Notes – Maharashtra Board

Summary: Tansen

Tansen was the famous singer in Emperor Akbar's court. His voice was so sweet that Akbar was delighted, gave him many jewels and called him the chief jewel of his crown.

One day Tansen sang the Deepak Raga, the song of fire, with such power that his body began to burn as if in flames. A young woman came and sang Raga Malhar, the song of cool water, and he became well again.

Akbar said Tansen's teacher must be great and divine. Tansen replied that his master lived far away in a Himalayan cave, caring nothing for worldly wealth, and would not sing for earthly kings. Akbar was so eager to hear him that he agreed to go dressed as a poor servant.

After a long journey, Akbar and Tansen knelt humbly before the master (Ostad) and begged for a song. Pleased by their humility, he sang the Malkous Raga. Birds and beasts gathered to listen, and Akbar felt waves of heavenly joy. But when Akbar turned to praise him, the master had disappeared.

Akbar asked Tansen whether he could sing that same melody for him. Tansen answered that he could not: he sings for the king, while his master sings for God. That is why the master's music was so much more moving.

Key points to remember

• Poet: Hazrat Inayat Khan (name printed below the poem), an Indian Sufi teacher and musician
• Form: a narrative poem — it tells a story — in rhyming couplets
• Tansen: chief singer of Emperor Akbar's court, called the chief jewel in his diadem
• Deepak Raga — song of fire; it made Tansen's body burn
• Malhar — song of cool water (rain), sung by a maiden to cure him
• Tansen's teacher lived in a cave in the Himalayas and scorned worldly wealth
• Akbar dressed as a poor slave because the master would not sing for kings
• The Ostad sang the Malkous Raga; birds and beasts gathered, enchanted
• The master vanished before Akbar could praise him
• Key line idea: Tansen sings to the king; his master sings to God
• Archaic words (thy, thine, 'twere, o'er, lo) give the poem an old-time flavour
• Message: music (and any art) offered with devotion to God is greater than art performed for wealth or fame; humility opens doors that power cannot

Tansen – Notes

1. The story in simple words

• Lines 1–6: Tansen is famous in Akbar's court; his voice rings through the fort like silver bells. Akbar, enchanted, rewards him with jewels and calls him the chief gem of his crown.
• Lines 7–12: Singing the Deepak Raga, Tansen bursts into burning flames. A maiden sings the cool Malhar and his health returns.
• Lines 13–18: Akbar says Tansen's teacher must be mighty and divine. Tansen says his master lives far from the world in a Himalayan cave, despising wealth.
• Lines 19–24: Akbar wants to sit at the master's feet and is ready to give up his royal state and wear a poor man's robes. Tansen agrees it is better to go as a poor servant, for the master will not sing for kings.
• Lines 25–36: After a long road they kneel and pray for a song. Won by their humility, the Ostad sings the Malkous Raga; birds and beasts gather; Akbar is lost in joy — and the master vanishes.
• Lines 37–42: Akbar asks the name of the melody and whether Tansen can sing it for him. Tansen says no — he sings for the king, but his master sings for God.

2. Characters

• Tansen — a gifted, humble singer who respects his teacher and speaks honestly to the emperor.
• Akbar — a great king who loves music and is humble enough to dress as a slave to hear true music.
• The maiden — she cures Tansen with Raga Malhar; shows the healing power of music.
• The Ostad (master) — a holy musician who lives apart from the world, sings only for God and is moved by humility, not power. (In popular legend Tansen's guru is Swami Haridas; the poem does not name him.)

3. Why the Ostad's song was greater

• Tansen sings for an earthly king — for praise and reward.
• The Ostad sings for God, with pure devotion and no wish for wealth.
• So his music carries a spiritual power: even birds and beasts are enchanted, and Akbar feels 'heavenly rapture'.
• His vanishing suggests he is beyond the world and wants no praise.

4. Archaic words and poetic style

• thy — your; thine — yours; thee — you; 'twere — it would be; o'er — over; lo — look; dwells — lives; Himalay — Himalaya; untrod — not walked on before; awhile — for a short time.
• Huzoor — a respectful way of addressing a king ('Your Majesty').
• Rhyming couplets: Court–Fort, bells–tells, gem–diadem, Fire–pyre, and so on.
• Simile: his voice is compared to 'silver bells'; his body burned 'like a pyre'.
• Metaphor: Tansen is the 'chief jewel' in Akbar's diadem (crown).

5. Word meanings

• renown — fame; ravished — filled with delight; diadem — crown.
• pyre — a pile of wood for burning a body; consuming — destroying, eating up.
• ignoble — not worthy; celestial — heavenly; disdains — looks down upon.
• supplication — a humble request; felicity — great happiness; rapture — great joy; theme — here, a musical composition.

Words and phrases to know

Key terms

Tansen – Flashcards

Read the question, answer it in your head, then tap the card to check. 20 cards.

Tansen – MCQ Quiz

15 questions. Tap an option — you will see at once if it is right and why.

How to study Tansen

⏱ About 25 minutes

1. Read (8 min)
   Read the poem aloud as a story — court, fire and cure, journey, cave, vanishing, Tansen's answer.
2. Learn (10 min)
   Learn the three ragas and their effects, the archaic words, who said what, and the order of events.
3. Practise (7 min)
   Answer the 'Try it yourself' questions, take the quiz and play 🎮 Play.