A Pact With The Sun –Supplementary

Reader in English for class VI

Lesson 5TANSEN

Tansen, the greatest musician our country has produced ,was born to a singer called Mukandan Misra and his wife in Gwalior .

Naughty but talented, he imitated the calls of birds and animals perfectly. Once ………….. He tried to frighten a group of musicians roaring like a tiger . Swami Haridas, the leader, noted the talent of Tansen and took him to court. He taught him music and Tansen became a well known singer.

He grew up and soon became a famous singer. Years passed by .He married Hussaini a singer. They had five children. One day King Akbar heard Tansen singing and took him to court.

King Akbar was very impressed with Tansen . He gave him costly presents . This made other courtiers jealous . They made plans to get rid of him.

“ Make him sing Raga Deepak” they told the Emperor. Tansen could not refuse Akbar’s orders . But he knew if he sings Raga Deepak it could burn him to ashes .

Tansen taught his daughter Saraswathi and her friends Rupavati to sing Raga Megh. Raga Megh would bring rain and put out the fire caused by Raga Deepak .

Tansen started singing Raga Deepak . It became very hot. Soon things went on fire. At that time the two girls began to sing Raga Megh. It rained heavily and put out the fire. Thus Tansen was saved.

Akbar felt sad when he saw the suffering of Tansen . He punished Tansen’s enemies . He made Tansen his Court Singer . Tansen died in 1585 . His tomb in Gwalior is a place of pilgrimage for musicians.

1. Why did Swami Haridas say Tansen was talented?

Imitated the cries of birds and animals perfectly

2.Why did Akbar ask Tansen to join his court?He was impressed by his singing .

3)How do we know that Akbar was fond of Tansen?a) A)visited him often b) gave him costly gifts 4)What did the courtiers feel about Tansen?

jealous.

Question And Answer

5)What will happen if Raga Deepak is sung properly? Why did Tansen’s enemies want him to sing the Raga?

(i) Things will go on fire (ii) Kill him6)Why did Tansen agree to sing the Raga Deepak?

Afraid to disobey the emperor 7.What steps did he take to save himself ?Did his

plans work? (i) taught the two girls Raga Megh

(ii) yes. It started to rain when things started burning