4.5 Tansen - Std 9 - Kumarbharati

Poet: Hazrat Inayat Khan

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Genre: Narrative / Inspirational Poem

English Summary

The poem Tansen celebrates the greatness of the legendary singer in Akbar’s court and conveys the difference between worldly art and divine art. Tansen’s singing was magical and delighted the emperor and people, but it was still limited as it was meant to please men. When he sang the Deepak Raga, its power consumed him with fire, but a maiden saved him by singing the Malhar Raga. Despite being honoured, Tansen remained humble and acknowledged his teacher Ostad, who lived in a Himalayan cave. Ostad’s singing of the Malkous Raga was so pure and divine that it enchanted all of nature. Emperor Akbar realised that Tansen’s music, though extraordinary, was for men, while Ostad’s music was purely for God. The poem teaches that true art is born of humility and devotion.

Theme / Central Idea

The poem shows that real greatness lies in humility and devotion. While Tansen’s music was admired in Akbar’s court, Ostad’s divine music was eternal because it was dedicated to God. The central idea is that art becomes truly immortal when it is selfless and spiritual.

Word Meanings

• Ravished – Greatly delighted

• Pyre – Firewood for burning

• Celestial – Heavenly, divine

• Supplication – Humble prayer or request

• Felicity – Great happiness

• Theme – Musical composition

• Ecstatic – Overwhelmed with joy

• Disdains – Treats with contempt

• Enchanted – Filled with wonder and delight

• Ignoble – Not noble, lowly

Figures of Speech

1. “The music burst into flames of fire.”

   • Metaphor – Music is directly compared to flames.

     
     

2. “Like a slave, the emperor walked beside him.”

   • Simile – Akbar’s act is compared to a slave using ‘like’.

     
     

3. “His theme was supplication.”

   • Metaphor – The theme of Ostad’s music is compared to a prayer.

     
     

4. “The birds sat still, enchanted.”

   • Personification – Birds are shown as having human-like response of enchantment.

     
     

5. “His voice was celestial.”

   • Hyperbole – Exaggeration to highlight the divine quality of Ostad’s voice.

   
   

Two-Mark Questions

1. Explain the line: “The music burst into flames of fire.”

   Answer: The line refers to the powerful effect of the Deepak Raga sung by Tansen, which symbolically created flames that consumed him.

   
   

2. How is Emperor Akbar portrayed in the poem?

   Answer: Akbar is shown as a patron of art, humble enough to dress like a slave to meet Ostad and open-minded in recognising true greatness.

   
   

3. What does the poet mean by calling Ostad’s voice “celestial”?

   Answer: It means Ostad’s voice was divine, heavenly, and beyond the ordinary power of human music.

   
   

4. Why is Ostad considered greater than Tansen?

   Answer: Ostad’s music was divine and dedicated to God, free from the desire of pleasing men. Hence, it had a deeper spiritual impact.

   
   

5. What lesson does the poem teach about true art?

   Answer: The poem teaches that true art arises from humility, devotion, and purity of intention rather than fame or wealth.

   
   

True or False

1. Tansen sang the Malhar Raga to save himself. – False

   
   

2. Akbar went to meet Ostad dressed as a slave. – True

   
   

3. Ostad lived in a Himalayan cave. – True

   
   

Probable Board Questions

1. Why did Akbar consider Tansen a jewel of his court?

   Answer: Because Tansen’s magical voice delighted everyone and his ragas had powerful effects, making him unmatched among singers.

   
   

2. How did the singing of Ostad differ from that of Tansen?

   Answer: Tansen sang to please men and his king, while Ostad sang to worship God. His music was therefore divine and eternal.

   
   

3. Explain the symbolic significance of the Deepak Raga in the poem.

   Answer: The Deepak Raga symbolises the worldly power of art, which can create wonder but also cause destruction when used for worldly admiration.

   
   

4. What does the meeting between Akbar and Ostad convey?

   Answer: It conveys humility, as even an emperor shed his pride to honour true art, realising the divine nature of Ostad’s music.

   
   

Poem Appreciation

The poem Tansen by Hazrat Inayat Khan highlights the greatness of music and the difference between worldly and divine art. The theme of the poem is humility, devotion, and the spiritual essence of true art. The language is simple but powerful, with imagery that shows the magic of ragas and the divine quality of Ostad’s voice. The tone is both narrative and inspirational. The poet effectively uses figures of speech like metaphors, similes, and personification to enhance meaning. I liked the way the poem shows Emperor Akbar’s humility and Tansen’s honesty in acknowledging his teacher’s greatness. The poem inspires readers to value purity and devotion in any art or action.

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