Tansen was a famous musician and one of the navratnas in Akbar's court. It is said that when he used to sing the Megh malhar it rained. Similarly when he sang deepak the earthen lamps lighted up on their own.
One day Akbar said to him, "I want to hear the song of that musician who taught you."
Tansen said, "Your lordship! My guru is Swami Haridas and he won't come to your court. He is not under your employment like me. He lives in a hut in a jungle. He sings when he feels like and does not sing when he does not feel like."
"If he cannot come, we will got to have a glimpse of him." said Akbar.
When they reached Haridas's hut they found him sitting outside it silently with his musical instrument lying beside him.
The king said, "Tansen! Will we go without hearing a song from him even after coming over here?"
"I will just try. Please wait for sometime." said Tansen.
Tansen started singing. After a while he deliberately faulted. At this guru Haridas said immediately. "Don't sing like this Tansen!" And he started singing himself. His singing had a magical effect all around. Akbar was in a trance, which was broken only when Haridas finished his song. They left the hut for the palace but the song went on ringing in the king's ear throughout the return journey.
At night the king said to Tansen, "You sing beautifully. Indeed, you are the best singer in India. But how come your songs do not attain Haridas's level?"
Tansen folded his hands and said, "Your lordship, between guru Haridas and me there is a vast difference. I sing for my King while he sings for the Lord of the Universe. He is a musician of a much higher court."
Akbar heard this and was silent. He merely whispered to himself. "One who sings God's praises does get a divine sweetness in his voice."
source: Stories from Here and There, Ekalavya Education Foundation - By: Sunil Handa - http://www.eklavya.org/storyhere.html
One day Akbar said to him, "I want to hear the song of that musician who taught you."
Tansen said, "Your lordship! My guru is Swami Haridas and he won't come to your court. He is not under your employment like me. He lives in a hut in a jungle. He sings when he feels like and does not sing when he does not feel like."
"If he cannot come, we will got to have a glimpse of him." said Akbar.
When they reached Haridas's hut they found him sitting outside it silently with his musical instrument lying beside him.
The king said, "Tansen! Will we go without hearing a song from him even after coming over here?"
"I will just try. Please wait for sometime." said Tansen.
Tansen started singing. After a while he deliberately faulted. At this guru Haridas said immediately. "Don't sing like this Tansen!" And he started singing himself. His singing had a magical effect all around. Akbar was in a trance, which was broken only when Haridas finished his song. They left the hut for the palace but the song went on ringing in the king's ear throughout the return journey.
At night the king said to Tansen, "You sing beautifully. Indeed, you are the best singer in India. But how come your songs do not attain Haridas's level?"
Tansen folded his hands and said, "Your lordship, between guru Haridas and me there is a vast difference. I sing for my King while he sings for the Lord of the Universe. He is a musician of a much higher court."
Akbar heard this and was silent. He merely whispered to himself. "One who sings God's praises does get a divine sweetness in his voice."
source: Stories from Here and There, Ekalavya Education Foundation - By: Sunil Handa - http://www.eklavya.org/storyhere.html
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