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Chapter 5 Tansen Solutions

Question - 1 : -
Why did Akbar ask Tansen to join his court?

Answer - 1 : -

Tansen learnt music from Swami Haridas for eleven years and became a great and famous singer. Once Tansen went to AkbarтАЩs court to sing and soon became a great favourite of the Emperor. Akbar was highly impressed with his performance and he asked Tansen to join his court immediately.

Question - 2 : -
How do we know that Akbar was fond of Tansen? Give two reasons.

Answer - 2 : -

Tansen became a great favourite of the Emperor Akbar. The Emperor would often call upon Tansen to sing at any time of the day for a performance. Akbar would often just walk into TansenтАЩs house to hear him practice. Besides, he would also give the singer various beautiful presents.

Question - 3 : -
What did the other courtiers feel about Tansen?

Answer - 3 : -

With the increase in TansenтАЩs popularity, the other courtiers of AkbarтАЩs court became jealous of him. They decided to ruin his music career and get rid of him forever.

Question - 4 : -
1. What happens if Raga Deepak is sung properly?

2. Why did TansenтАЩs enemies want him to sing the Raga?

Answer - 4 : -

  1. If Raga Deepak was sung properly, the air and surroundings would become so hot that the singer would be burnt to ashes.
  2. Some courtiers of AkbarтАЩs court were jealous of Tansen and his popularity and soon they became his enemies. They wanted him to sing Raga Deepak so that he would die out of heat and burn to ashes.

Question - 5 : -
1. What steps did he take to save himself?
2. Did his plan work? How?

Answer - 5 : -

  1. Tansen was worried and afraid after being asked to sing Raga Deepak. He requested the king to allow him some time to prepare for it. In the meantime, he thought of a brilliant idea. He taught Raga Megh to his daughter, Saraswati, and her friend, Rupvati for two weeks. He told them that soon after he completes singing Raga Deepak, they should start singing Raga Megh to bring rain and appease the effect of the heat.
  2. Yes, TansenтАЩs plan worked perfectly. When he sang Raga Deepak, the surroundings became warm тАУ the leaves of trees dried up, birds fell dead, water of rivers began to boil, people were terrified that flames shot up out of nowhere and lighted the lamps. Just then, Saraswati and Rupvati began to sing Raga Megh, the sky filled with dark clouds and the rain came down suddenly and this saved TansenтАЩs life and the surroundings from more damage.

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