Question 1:
Why did Swami Haridas say Tansen was talented?
Answer:
Swami Haridas said so because Tansen could imitate the calls of birds and animals perfectly. He was once able to scare the disciples of Swami Haridas by roaring like a tiger.
Question 2:
Why did Akbar ask Tansen to join his court?
Answer:
Akbar asked Tansen to join his court because he was very much impressed by Tansen’s musical talent.
Question 3:
How do we know that Akbar was fond of Tansen? Give two reasons.
Answer:
Akbar would call upon Tansen to sing at any time of the day. Akbar would just walk into Tansen’s house to hear him practise. Akbar also gave him many presents. All this indicated that Akbar was fond of Tansen.
Question 4:
What did the other courtiers feel about Tansen?
Answer:
The other courtiers were jealous of Tansen because Akbar liked him a lot and also gave him many presents.
Question 5:
What happens if Raga Deepak is sung properly?
Answer:
If Raga Deepak is sung properly, it makes the air so hot that the singer gets burnt to ashes.
Question 6:
Why did Tansen’s enemies want him to sing the Raga?
Answer:
They knew that the Raga (Deepak) burns the singer into ashes. They wanted to get rid of him. So they wanted him to sing the Raga Deepak.
Question 7:
Why did Tansen agree to sing Raga Deepak?
Answer:
Tansen agreed to sing Raga Deepak because he could not disobey the emperor.
Question 8:
What steps did he take to save himself?
Answer:
When Tansen was asked to sing Raga Deepak by the emperor, he took some time off from the court to prepare himself. He taught his daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupwati Raga Megha. This Raga was known to bring rain.
Question 9:
Did his plan work? How?
Answer:
Yes, his plan worked well. When the lamp started burning, Saraswati and Rupwati started singing Raga Megha. It brought rain and Tansen was saved.
Question 10:
Are you interested in music?
Do you like classical music? Name a few distinguished Indian
musicians.
Answer:
Yes, I am interested in music. I like classical music very much. Some distinguished musicians are—Shankar-Jaikishan, Madan Mohan-Jaidev, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Piyarelal, R.D. Burman and S.D. Burman.