Tansen

Tansen

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Category: Music

Tansen Profile

  • Name:
  • Tansen
  • Other Name:
  • Ramtanu Pandey
  • Born / Home Town:
  • Behat
  • Father:
  • Mukund Pandey

Tansen Biography

Tansen was one among the nine jewels in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He was a prominent and iconic figure of Hindustani classical music. He was a well known composer, musician and vocalist who lived in the 16th century AD. He was also an instrumentalist who popularized and improved the plucked rabab of Central Asian origin. Historians have two opinions regarding his date of birth and death. Common opinion is that he was born on 1493 or 1506 as Ramtanu Pandey – died 1586 or 1589. He was also known by the name Mohammad Ata Khan and Mian Tansen. ‘Mian’ was the title given by Emperor Akbar.

 

According to legends, he was born as a Hindi in a Gaur Brahmin family in Gwalior. His father Mukund Pandey was a poet, temple priest and accomplished musician. Tansen's name as a child was Ramtanu Pandey. The burial of Tansen suggests that he was later converted to Islam. Ramtanu was born at a time when Persian and Central Asian motifs were making fusion music with Hindustani music, as we know today. Almost all gharanas of Hindustani classical music claim some connection with the Tansen lineage. Tansen started learning music at the age of 5 from Swami Haridas and his singing talent was recognized early by the ruler of Gwalior, who gave him the name, Tansen. He learnt Drupad sangeet and local folk music from the legendary guru. Tansen was also influenced by other singers in the Gwalior court and the queen, Mrignayani. Other musicians at Gwalior include Baiju Bawra also.

 

He joined the court of King Ramachandra Baghela of Rewa in 1555 and remained there till 1562. When Emperor Akbar came to know about his magical power in singing, he sent his emissary Jalaluddin Qurchi to Ramachandra and with no options left, Tansen joined Akbar’s court. He was 57 years old. According to legends, for his first performance in Akbar’s court, he was gifted one lakh gold coins. The fort at Fatehpur Sikri is strongly associated with Tansen's tenure at Akbar's court. A pond was built with a small island in the middle, where musical performances were given.

 

Tansen's children were Tanras Khan, Bilas Khan, Hamirsen, Suratsen and Saraswati Devi and all were musicians. Tansen's blood descendants, known as Senia Gharana held considerable prestige in musical circles for several centuries.

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Updated: January 10, 2014

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