God's Own Angel - Who's on CLOUD 9 - TANSEN OR BEETHOVEN
God’s Own
Angel - Who’s on CLOUD 9- TANSEN OR BEETHOVEN !
Music is to the soul what bread is to body
health. It enriches life, endears one to God, enlivens one's spirit,
refreshes the mind, exercises the body and mind.
No form of music is as enriching as the Indian Classical forms that have a note for every mood of life with as deep knowledge in theory and practice.
It rained when he was singing….!!
Megh Malhar is a Hindustani classical raga. The name derives
from the Sanskrit
word Megh, meaning cloud. Legends say that this raga has the
power to bring out rains in the area where it is sung.
The origin of the belief date backs to Mughal Era
and the story relates to one of Akbar’s Nine Jewels in his court namely,
Tansen.
Almost exactly
in the centre of India is a town called Gwalior. In this town is the tomb of
Tansen, one of the greatest musicians that ever lived.
Cloud 9 means a
feeling of extreme happiness or euphoria, feeling like you're floating on air.
The Raga Megh Malhar is portrayed in Hindi film
“Mother India”.
The song credit goes to –
- Film - Mother India
- Year - 1957
- Rag - Megh Malhar
- Tal - Dadra
- Music Director(s) - Naushad
- Singer(s) - Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, Mohd. Rafi , Shamshad Begum.
Indian Raga
Malhar : Invocation to the Rain God
The Raga, Malhar
is a powerful legendary Raga in Indian classical music.
Raga Malhar is associated with the atmosphere of torrential rains.
There are many written accounts and legendary tales about Raga Malhar.
According to the legend, Raga Malhar is so powerful that when sung,
rain starts falling from the sky. Many great artists of the medieval, and much
earlier period used to sing this Raga to invoke the Rain God. Tansen,
Baiju Bawra, Mahanvilas Kanh (son of Tansen)
and Meera are among the singers, who are said to have been
capable of invoking rains, by singing various forms of Raga Malhar.
Megh Malhar: The Passion-Quenching Raga in Body of Music.
Faridabad celebrated “Megh Malhar” festival
with fervor and excitement. They
enjoyed the rain dance and a popcorn party.
“I am not trying to
compare Tansen with Beehthoven in this BLOG Post. Beethoven is an international figure in the
world of music. Beethoven deserves a
separate Blog in high accolade which may feature in JOHNNY’S BLOG sometime in
the near future.” - Vj Johnson
Raga Megh
Raga Megh is loved by many
people. This raga is heard in the monsoon season when thunderbolts rock the sky
and raindrops fall on the ground. Raga Megh is considered a janak raga. Raga
Megh and Raga Malhar have very similar ecstatic properties. According to the Janak
ragas, Rag Deepak came to burn and enflame people during the summer. When the
summer season ends and the monsoon season starts, Raga Megh extinguished the
flames and fire caused by Rag Deepak. It is truly the raga to extinguish fires
of the heart.
Tansen and Raga Megh
Tansen was a
great Hindustani musician. He lived during Akbar’s time. Tansen was one of the
nine jewels in Akbars court. The most special thing about Tansen was that he
was a music magician. He had so much control over the "Ragas" that he
could do astonishing feats by singing them.
A lot of
Akbar’s courtiers were jealous of Tansen's privileges. They schemed to set him up for failure. They
spread the word that Tansen could make an oil lamp light up with his singing.
The courtiers thought that if Tansen fails in doing this, obviously
his music skills are just ordinary. But if he succeeds he could die singing the
"Raag", because it would produce so much heat, that his body would be
burnt. Akbar obviously heard about this talent and asked Tansen to perform the
feat, knowing well that some pranksters were up to mischief to harm Tansen. But, knowing Tansen as he did , the Emperor
knew he would find a way out of the mess....and he did indeed!
Now Tansen was in a fix. Sure, he could do this feat. But what would happen then? He would surely burn and things around him may burn as well. The only antidote for this was for him to sing "Raag Megh Malhar" immediately after he sings "Raag Deepak". "Raag Megh Malhar" would bring pouring rain and cool him and his surroundings. But surely he would be unable to sing this after singing "Raag Deepak", as he would be very weak. He could not say 'no 'to the great emperor! No one else, he thought, could sing "Megh Malhar".
Now Tansen was in a fix. Sure, he could do this feat. But what would happen then? He would surely burn and things around him may burn as well. The only antidote for this was for him to sing "Raag Megh Malhar" immediately after he sings "Raag Deepak". "Raag Megh Malhar" would bring pouring rain and cool him and his surroundings. But surely he would be unable to sing this after singing "Raag Deepak", as he would be very weak. He could not say 'no 'to the great emperor! No one else, he thought, could sing "Megh Malhar".
His worries
were evident to his daughter. She suggested that after he sang "Deepak
Raag", she would sing "Raag Megh Malhar". "Raag
Deepak" would light the lamps. She would sing "Raag Megh Malhar"
which would bring rains and cool Tansen and extinguish the flames of the oil
lamps around him. Tansen had taught Raag Megh Malhar" to his daughter and
she was as wonderful and exponent as himself! This was Tansen’s best option. He
would sing or die trying.
Day of
performance arrived. The emperor’s assembly was adorned with countless oil
lamps, which were waiting to light up. Tansen started singing "Raag Deepak
'' . Soon the temperature of the terrace started rising. People could not
believe the fact that temperatures were soaring. Things started melting. And
lo! Suddenly the hall was lit with countless oil lamps..!!! But Tansen was sick
with fever! He ran to an open area. He was hoping that his daughter’s singing
would work. Back in th village Tansen’s daughter started singing "Raag
Megh Malhar". Soon clouds moved in over the village. Yes, it started
raining!! Tansen lived!!
Needless to
say, Tansen was awarded by the Emperor and made the Royal singer :)They
remained forever the best of friends, and the emperor always relieved his
burdened soul listening to Tansen's soulful raagas.
That is how rich Indian music is, its study will tire researchers but learning won't end..!!
Biography -
Tansen is regarded as the
Navratna in the court of Emperor Akbar and the Guru of all Gurus in the Indian
classical music that dominates the entire North India. He was born in a Hindu
family in Gwalior. His father was a famous poet Mukund Mishra. Till the age of
5, Tansen was just like every mediocre child but it was then when he showed his
musical talent that was recognized by his guru Haridasa. Tansen, as we all
know, was not just a singer but also a well-known poet who had composed many
couplets. When Tansen was in the court of Akbar, he started his composition of
new ragas or melodies based on Indian Classical Music. He is believed to be the
father of Hindustani Music. Tansen received the prefix "Miyan" from
Emperor Akbar. His 'Sangeeta Sara' and 'Rajmala' are important documents on
music. He also popularized the 'Drupad' style of music.
Tansen was born into a Hindu Gaur family in a
village near Satna. When he was born, he was named by his family as Ramtanu,
and was fondly called Tannu and Mukul. His guru, a renowned singer of those
times, helped Tansen recognize his versatility. Tansen firstly showcased his
talent to King Ramachandra of Mewa Bandhavgarh. Later on, he got the
opportunity to exhibit his versatility and skill in front of the Mughal emperor
Akbar. Tansen concentrated more on creating Hindustani classical ethos because
he was born at the time when Persian and Central Asian motifs were being fused
with Hindustani Classical music.
Tansen remained a disciple to Swami Haridas for quite a long time who was a legendary composer from Vrindavan and also a part of the Gwalior court of Raja Man Singh Tomar. He specialized in the Dhrupad style of singing. How Tansen met Swami Haridas is debatable. While some claim that the two first met when Haridas was passing through the forests and Ramtanu, then a five-year old impressed the legendary musician with his imitation of a tiger, others say that it was Tansen's father who had taken Tansen to the musician's place. It was because of Swami Haridas that Tansen acquired his love for dhrupad along with his interest in compositions in the local language. It is also said that during his preparation to becoming a great singer, Tansen's father passed away that made him give up everything and he chose to return home where he used to sing at a local Shiva temple.
Muhammad Ghaus became his spiritual mentor and introduced him to Islam. He also married Husseini which means the most beautiful one, who in turn, blessed him with five children and the interesting fact is that all of them went on to become great musicians. Tansen's association with Akbar leads to arguable stories. Some believe that Tansen had joined the court of King Ramachandra Baghela of Rewa, India, where he remained from 1555-1562. Akbar, upon hearing the former's musical prowess, sent his emissary Jalaluddin Qurchi to Ramachandra, who had little choice but to agree and Tansen went to Akbar's court in 1562. Another legend states that Akbar's daughter Meherunnissa was charmed by Tansen which was why Tansen came to Akbar's court. It also states that Tansen converted to Islam from Hinduism, on the eve of his marriage with Akbar's daughter.
It has been reported that Tansen was presented with one lakh gold coins in his first performance at Akbar's court. The glory never for once dipped as Tansen went on to become one of the treasured 'Navaratnas' (lit. nava=nine, ratna=jewel) of the latter's court. It was Akbar who gave Tansen the honorific title of 'Miyan'. In fact his voice was so melodious that it's often said to have created miracles while Tansen was singing. For instance, Tansen could beckon the rains by Raga Megh Malhar and light up fires with Raga Deepak. Such was the power of his music that when he used to sing in the court of Akbar, candles used to light up automatically. There can never be any sort of comparison when Tansen stands in the picture along with his style of singing. His contribution to the world of music is priceless and is still worshipped by leading singers and composers of the world.
Tansen's earlier training with Swami Haridas in Bhakti tradition and his later interaction with the Ghaus in Sufi tradition led to a fusion of the two which was prominently visible in Tansen's work. Both the traditions had considerable philosophical and stylistic overlaps. His musical repertoire consists of several ragas. Some of his notable works include Miyan ka Bhairav, Darbari Kanada, Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi, Rageshwari, Darbari Todi and many more. The credit for initiating the Dhrupad style of singing goes totally to Tansen and his teacher or guru Swami Haridas.Tansen is also known to have been an inspiration for many. He influenced other singers in the Gwalior court and also the musically proficient queen, Mriganayani
Tansen remained a disciple to Swami Haridas for quite a long time who was a legendary composer from Vrindavan and also a part of the Gwalior court of Raja Man Singh Tomar. He specialized in the Dhrupad style of singing. How Tansen met Swami Haridas is debatable. While some claim that the two first met when Haridas was passing through the forests and Ramtanu, then a five-year old impressed the legendary musician with his imitation of a tiger, others say that it was Tansen's father who had taken Tansen to the musician's place. It was because of Swami Haridas that Tansen acquired his love for dhrupad along with his interest in compositions in the local language. It is also said that during his preparation to becoming a great singer, Tansen's father passed away that made him give up everything and he chose to return home where he used to sing at a local Shiva temple.
Muhammad Ghaus became his spiritual mentor and introduced him to Islam. He also married Husseini which means the most beautiful one, who in turn, blessed him with five children and the interesting fact is that all of them went on to become great musicians. Tansen's association with Akbar leads to arguable stories. Some believe that Tansen had joined the court of King Ramachandra Baghela of Rewa, India, where he remained from 1555-1562. Akbar, upon hearing the former's musical prowess, sent his emissary Jalaluddin Qurchi to Ramachandra, who had little choice but to agree and Tansen went to Akbar's court in 1562. Another legend states that Akbar's daughter Meherunnissa was charmed by Tansen which was why Tansen came to Akbar's court. It also states that Tansen converted to Islam from Hinduism, on the eve of his marriage with Akbar's daughter.
It has been reported that Tansen was presented with one lakh gold coins in his first performance at Akbar's court. The glory never for once dipped as Tansen went on to become one of the treasured 'Navaratnas' (lit. nava=nine, ratna=jewel) of the latter's court. It was Akbar who gave Tansen the honorific title of 'Miyan'. In fact his voice was so melodious that it's often said to have created miracles while Tansen was singing. For instance, Tansen could beckon the rains by Raga Megh Malhar and light up fires with Raga Deepak. Such was the power of his music that when he used to sing in the court of Akbar, candles used to light up automatically. There can never be any sort of comparison when Tansen stands in the picture along with his style of singing. His contribution to the world of music is priceless and is still worshipped by leading singers and composers of the world.
Tansen's earlier training with Swami Haridas in Bhakti tradition and his later interaction with the Ghaus in Sufi tradition led to a fusion of the two which was prominently visible in Tansen's work. Both the traditions had considerable philosophical and stylistic overlaps. His musical repertoire consists of several ragas. Some of his notable works include Miyan ka Bhairav, Darbari Kanada, Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi, Rageshwari, Darbari Todi and many more. The credit for initiating the Dhrupad style of singing goes totally to Tansen and his teacher or guru Swami Haridas.Tansen is also known to have been an inspiration for many. He influenced other singers in the Gwalior court and also the musically proficient queen, Mriganayani
The greatest of all musicians, Tansen left for the
heavenly abode in the year 1589. Tansen was buried in the mausoleum complex of
his Sufi guru Shaikh Muhammad Ghaus in Gwalior.
The legends of music also do not prefer to compare Tansen with anyone apart from the prolific Sufi composer, Amir Khusro or a traditional composer like Sant Kabir when it comes to making an influence. Several of his raga compositions have become mainstays of the Hindustani/Ancient Pakistani tradition, and these are often prefaced with Miyanki ("of the Miyan"), e.g. Miyan ki Todi, Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Mand, Miyan ka Sarang. In addition he is the creator of major ragas like Darbari Kanada, Darbari Todi, and Rageshwari. The popular Sangeeta Sara and Rajmaala belong to Tansen as their author.
Tansen was a mystic musician.
The legends of music also do not prefer to compare Tansen with anyone apart from the prolific Sufi composer, Amir Khusro or a traditional composer like Sant Kabir when it comes to making an influence. Several of his raga compositions have become mainstays of the Hindustani/Ancient Pakistani tradition, and these are often prefaced with Miyanki ("of the Miyan"), e.g. Miyan ki Todi, Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Mand, Miyan ka Sarang. In addition he is the creator of major ragas like Darbari Kanada, Darbari Todi, and Rageshwari. The popular Sangeeta Sara and Rajmaala belong to Tansen as their author.
Tansen was a mystic musician.
Balamurali
Krishna
M. S. Subbulakshmi
Muthuswami Dikshitar
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Jasraj
Swami Haridas
Swathi Tirunal Rama Varma
Tansen
Tyagaraja
Ustad Allauddin Khan
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
M. S. Subbulakshmi
Muthuswami Dikshitar
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Jasraj
Swami Haridas
Swathi Tirunal Rama Varma
Tansen
Tyagaraja
Ustad Allauddin Khan
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
Asha
BhonsleA.R. Rahman
Dr. K. J. Yesudas
K. L. Saigal
K.S. Chitra
Kishore Kumar
Lata Mangeshkar
Mohammed Rafi
Mukesh
S. Janaki
Dr. L.
SubramaniamLalgudi Jayaraman
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
Pandit Ravi Shankar
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Ustad Bismillah Khan
Ustad Zakir Hussain
Chembai
Music FestivalDover Lane Music Festival
ITC Sangeet Sammelan
Saptak Music Festival
Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav
Tansen Music Festival
Thyagaraja Music Festival
Chenda Flute
Gettuvadyam
Mridanga
Nagaswaram
Santoor
Sarangi
Sarod
Shehnai
Sitar
Tabla
Tambura
Veena
Violin
Tansen was of course on CLOUD 9 and the rain gods showered their blessings on him. Tansen with his music caused the rain fall to douse the severe heat generated from the rendition of Raga Deepak.
After listening to the “MEGH
MALHAR / MONSOON RAGA”, it is not surprising that if you are
taken off to CLOUD 9. The feeling of
euphoria motivates me to add one more edition to JOHNNY’S BLOG.
posted by Unknown @ 22:58
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