Class 6 English Notes Chapter 5 (Tansen) – A Pact with the Sun Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 5, 'Tansen', from our 'A Pact with the Sun' book. This story is not just a simple tale; it tells us about one of India's greatest musicians and holds important details you might encounter in competitive exams. Pay close attention.

Chapter 5: Tansen - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. Introduction to Tansen:

• Tansen is celebrated as one of the greatest musicians India has ever produced.
• He was one of the 'Navratnas' (Nine Jewels) in the court of Emperor Akbar.
• His original name is often believed to be Ramtanu Pandey (though the chapter focuses on 'Tansen').

2. Early Life and Discovery:

• Tansen was born in Gwalior (mention of Behat village near Gwalior).
• He was the only child of a singer named Mukandan Misra and his wife.
• As a child, he was very naughty but possessed an exceptional talent for imitating sounds, especially bird calls and animal noises.
• Key Incident: He once frightened a group of travellers, led by the famous musician and saint Swami Haridas, by roaring like a tiger in the forest.
• Swami Haridas, instead of getting angry, recognized the boy's immense talent. He persuaded Tansen's father to let Tansen become his disciple.

3. Musical Training:

• Tansen lived with Swami Haridas for eleven years, learning music diligently.
• He became a great singer under Swami Haridas's tutelage.
• During this time, his parents passed away. His father's dying wish was that Tansen should visit Mohammad Ghaus of Gwalior, a holy man.
• While staying with Mohammad Ghaus, Tansen was often taken to the court of Rani Mrignaini, who was also a great musician. He married Hussaini, one of the Rani's ladies-in-waiting. They had five children who also became musical.

4. Joining Emperor Akbar's Court:

• Tansen gained widespread fame as a musician, sometimes singing before Emperor Akbar.
• Akbar was deeply impressed by Tansen's music and requested him to join his court in 1556.
• Tansen initially hesitated but eventually went to Akbar's court, where he soon became a great favourite of the Emperor.
• Akbar would often call upon Tansen to sing at any time of day or night and would frequently visit Tansen's house to hear him practice. He also gave Tansen many presents.

5. Jealousy and the Plot:

• Tansen's immense fame and the Emperor's favour made some other courtiers jealous.
• Shaukat Mian, a prominent courtier, devised a plan to ruin Tansen.
• The plot involved making Tansen sing Raga Deepak.
• Significance of Raga Deepak: It was believed that if sung properly, this Raga produced intense heat. The air would become so hot that the singer could be burnt to ashes.

6. The Challenge and Tansen's Strategy:

• The jealous courtiers, led by Shaukat Mian, suggested to Akbar that Tansen should sing Raga Deepak to prove his greatness. They knew only Tansen could sing it properly.
• Akbar, unaware of the danger or persuaded by the courtiers, ordered Tansen to sing Raga Deepak.
• Tansen was afraid but couldn't disobey the Emperor.
• He asked for some time to prepare.
• Tansen's Clever Plan: He realized that while Raga Deepak produced heat, Raga Megh (or Megh Malhar) could bring rain. He reasoned that if Raga Megh was sung simultaneously or immediately after Raga Deepak, the rain could counteract the heat and save his life.
• He taught his daughter, Saraswati, and her friend, Rupvati, to sing Raga Megh. He instructed them to start singing only when the lamps started burning due to the effect of Raga Deepak.

7. The Performance and Climax:

• On the appointed day, the court assembled.
• Tansen began singing Raga Deepak.
• As he sang, the air grew warm, listeners began to perspire, leaves on trees dried up, birds fell dead, water in rivers began to boil.
• Flames shot up from nowhere and lit the lamps.
• Tansen's body temperature rose dangerously, and he felt extremely ill.
• At that precise moment, Saraswati and Rupvati began singing Raga Megh.
• The sky clouded over, and rain poured down.
• The rain counteracted the heat, saving Tansen's life, although he was very ill afterwards.

8. Aftermath and Legacy:

• Akbar was sorry for the suffering Tansen endured.
• He punished Tansen's enemies (the jealous courtiers).
• Tansen recovered and remained Akbar's court singer until his death in 1585.
• He composed several new ragas.
• Tansen's tomb is in Gwalior, near the tomb of Mohammad Ghaus. It is a place of pilgrimage for musicians.

Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Characters: Tansen, Swami Haridas, Emperor Akbar, Shaukat Mian, Rani Mrignaini, Saraswati, Rupvati, Mohammad Ghaus.
• Locations: Gwalior, Behat village, Akbar's Court (Agra/Fatehpur Sikri).
• Key Terms: Raga Deepak (produces heat), Raga Megh/Megh Malhar (brings rain), Navratnas (Nine Jewels).
• Timeline/Sequence: Early life -> Training with Swami Haridas -> Service with Rani Mrignaini -> Joining Akbar's Court -> Jealousy Plot -> Singing Raga Deepak & Megh -> Recovery & Continued Service.
• Themes: Power of music, talent vs. jealousy, wisdom and strategy, Guru-Shishya (teacher-student) relationship.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Who was Tansen's first music teacher?
   a) Emperor Akbar
   b) Mohammad Ghaus
   c) Swami Haridas
   d) Mukandan Misra

2. As a child, Tansen was particularly skilled at imitating:
   a) Musical instruments
   b) Other singers' voices
   c) Bird calls and animal sounds
   d) Courtly manners

3. Which Emperor invited Tansen to be a musician in his court?
   a) Babur
   b) Humayun
   c) Akbar
   d) Shah Jahan

4. Why did some courtiers become jealous of Tansen?
   a) Because he was wealthier than them.
   b) Because he was a favourite of the Emperor Akbar.
   c) Because he refused to teach them music.
   d) Because he came from a lower caste.

5. What dangerous task did the jealous courtiers persuade Akbar to ask Tansen to perform?
   a) Sing Raga Megh during the dry season.
   b) Tame a wild elephant with music.
   c) Sing Raga Deepak.
   d) Compose a new Raga overnight.

6. What was the supposed effect of properly singing Raga Deepak?
   a) It caused heavy rainfall.
   b) It made flowers bloom instantly.
   c) It produced intense heat and could burn the singer.
   d) It put listeners into a deep sleep.

7. What was Tansen's brilliant plan to save himself from the effects of Raga Deepak?
   a) To drink holy water before singing.
   b) To ask the Emperor to cancel the performance.
   c) To sing an incomplete version of the Raga.
   d) To arrange for Raga Megh to be sung simultaneously to bring rain.

8. Who did Tansen teach to sing Raga Megh?
   a) His sons
   b) Other court musicians
   c) His daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupvati
   d) Emperor Akbar himself

9. What happened immediately after the lamps lit up when Tansen sang Raga Deepak?
   a) Emperor Akbar stopped the performance.
   b) The jealous courtiers started celebrating.
   c) Saraswati and Rupvati started singing Raga Megh.
   d) Tansen fainted on the spot.

10. Where is Tansen's tomb located, considered a place of pilgrimage for musicians?
    a) Delhi
    b) Agra
    c) Fatehpur Sikri
    d) Gwalior

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Swami Haridas
2. c) Bird calls and animal sounds
3. c) Akbar
4. b) Because he was a favourite of the Emperor Akbar.
5. c) Sing Raga Deepak.
6. c) It produced intense heat and could burn the singer.
7. d) To arrange for Raga Megh to be sung simultaneously to bring rain.
8. c) His daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupvati
9. c) Saraswati and Rupvati started singing Raga Megh.
10. d) Gwalior

Study these notes carefully. Remember the key names, the sequence of events, and especially the significance of the two Ragas mentioned. Good luck with your preparation!