Notes For All Chapters – Kumarbharati English Class 9
Tansen
Poem by Hazrat Inayat Khan
Main Characters:
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Tansen | A famous singer in Akbar’s court. Known for magical singing and knowledge of ragas. |
| Akbar | The Mughal emperor who loved music and deeply admired Tansen’s talent. |
| Ostad | Tansen’s teacher, a divine and spiritual musician living in the Himalayas. |
| Maiden | A girl who healed Tansen by singing the Malhar Raga after he was affected by the Deepak Raga. |
Main Events in the Poem:
- Tansen’s Fame in Akbar’s Court:
His music was beautiful like the sound of silver bells.
Akbar rewarded him with gems and honored him as the jewel in his crown.
Singing Deepak Raga (Song of Fire):
One day, Tansen sang the Deepak Raga.
It was so powerful that his body began burning like fire.
The Raga caused actual physical pain due to its heat.
Healing with Malhar Raga (Song of Water):
A young girl sang the Malhar Raga, known for its cooling effect.
Her song brought Tansen back to normal.
It showed the power and impact of ragas in Indian classical music.
Akbar’s Curiosity About the Teacher:
Impressed, Akbar wanted to meet the teacher who taught Tansen such music.
Tansen said his guru lives far away in the Himalayas and doesn’t sing for kings.
Akbar Travels as a Common Man:
To meet the teacher, Akbar wore poor clothes and acted like a slave.
Tansen and Akbar travelled a long way to the guru’s cave.
Meeting the Ostad:
The guru was touched by their humility and sang the Malkous Raga.
His music was so divine that even animals and birds gathered peacefully.
Akbar felt deep joy and peace.
Ostad Disappears:
Just as Akbar wanted to praise the guru, the guru vanished.
Akbar asked Tansen why his songs didn’t feel as divine.
Tansen’s Honest Answer:
Tansen said: “I sing to please you; he sings to please God.”
This line shows that music from true devotion touches the soul more than music for praise or reward.
Important Themes in the Poem:
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Power of Devotion in Music | Music becomes magical when sung with spiritual devotion, not just skill. |
| Guru-Shishya Tradition | Deep respect for teachers and learning from them with humility is shown. |
| True Art vs. Showmanship | True art comes from the soul and not for money, fame, or power. |
| Humility Even for a King | Even a great emperor like Akbar had to bow in front of real spiritual wisdom. |
New/Hard Words and Their Meanings:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ignoble | Dishonorable, not worthy |
| Celestial | Heavenly, divine |
| Supplication | Humble request or prayer |
| Felicity | Great happiness or peace |
| Theme | A subject or musical tune |
Poetic Devices in the Poem:
| Device | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Alliteration | “Sound of silver bells” | Creates musical effect |
| Imagery | “Burning like a pyre”, “Birds gathered” | Helps us visualize the scene |
| Metaphor | “He sings to God” | Deep meaning about true devotion |
| Symbolism | Fire and Water (Ragas) | Shows emotional power of music |
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