When diverse sounds are mingled
together, the natural temperament of living beings experiences a great delight.
This sort of melody is common to all living creatures. The spirit is subtle and
there is a subtlety in sounds, so that when they are heard the spirit inclines
to that which is homogeneous with itself. Philosophers and physicians have
written books on musical harmony.
One day, when Ishaq of Mosul was
playing his musical instrument in a garden, a nightingale, enraptured with the
music, broke off its song in order to listen, and dropped dead from the bough.
(Ref. Aghani vol.5 p.52). The temperaments of all living creatures are composed
of sounds and melodies blended and harmonized. Ibrahim Khawwas says: “Once I
came to an Arab tribe and alighted at the hospitable abode of one of their
chiefs. I saw a negro lying, shackled
and chained, at the tent door in the heat of the sun. I felt pity for him and resolved to intercede
with the chief on his behalf. When food
was brought for my entertainment I refused to eat, knowing that nothing grieves
an Arab more than this. The chief asked
me why I refused. I answered that I hoped his generosity would grant me a
boon. He begged me to eat, assuring me
that all he possessed was mine. ‘I do not want your wealth,’ I said, ‘but
pardon this slave for my sake.’ ‘First
hear what his offence was,’ the chief replied, ‘then remove his chains.’ This slave is a camel-driver, and he has a
sweet voice. I sent him with a few
camels to my estates, to fetch me some corn.
He put a double load on every camel and chanted so sweetly on the way
that the camels ran at full speed. They
returned hither in a short time, and as soon as he unloaded them they died one
after another.’ ‘O! Prince,’ I cried in
astonishment, ‘a nobleman like you does not speak falsely, but I wish for some
evidence of this tale.’ While we talked
a number of camels were brought from the desert to the wells that they might
drink. The chief inquired how long they
had gone without water. ‘Three days,’
was the reply. He then commanded the
slave to chant. The camels became so
occupied in listening to his song that they would not drink a mouthful of
water, and suddenly they turned and fled, one by one, and dispersed in the
desert. The chieftain released the slave
and pardoned him for my sake.”
We often see, for example, how
camels and asses are affected with delight when their drivers thrill an
air. In Khorasan and Iraq it is the
custom for hunters when hunting deer at night to beat on a basin of brass in
order that the deer may stand still, listening to the sound, and thus be
caught. And in India, as is well known,
some people go out to the open country and sing and make a tinkling sound, on
hearing which deer approach; then the hunters encircle them and sing until the
deer are lulled to sleep by note of melody and are easily captured. The same effect is manifest in young children
who cease crying in the cradle when a tune is sung to them and they listen to
the tune. On the death of one of the
ancient kings of Persia his ministers wished to enthrone his son who was a
child of two years old. Buzurjmihr, (the vizier of Khusraw Naushirwan, the
great Sasanian king of Persia (531-78 A.D.) on being consulted, said: “very
good, but we must try whether he is sensible,” and ordered singers to sing to
the boy. The child was stirred with
emotion and began to shake his arms and legs. This was a hopeful sign and
everyone consented to his succession.
Anyone who says that he finds no pleasure in sounds and melodies and
music is either a liar or a hypocrite or he is not in his right senses.
Many traditions are cited in
support of this view. It is related that A’isha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad
(PUH) once related that, “A slave-girl was singing in my house when Umar, the
companion of Prophet Muhammad (PUH) asked leave to enter the door. As soon as she heard his step she ran
away. He came in and the Apostle
smiled. ‘O Apostle of God, what hath
made thee smile?’ The Apostle answered, ‘A slave-girl was singing here, but she
ran away as soon as she heard thy steps.’
‘I will not depart’ said Umar, ‘until I hear what the Apostle
heard.’ So the Apostle called the girl
back and she began to sing, and the Apostle listening to her.” Many of the Companions have related similar
traditions, which Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami has collected in his Kitab al-Sam’a
(The Book of Melody).
(Ref. The Kashf al-Mahjub [The Unveiling of
the Veiled] Written by Ali Bin Uthman Al-Hujwiri, and Translated by Reynold A.
Nicholson; Published Taj Company, Delhi, 1997 Edition)
The bulk of Tansen's biography as it is handed down in the
musical literature consists of legends. Among the legends about Tansen are stories of his bringing down
the rains with Raga Megh Malhar (melody
of rain) and lighting lamps with
the legendary Raga Deepak (Melody of Lighting Fire). Raga Megh Malhar is still
in the mainstream repertoire, but raga Deepak is no longer known. It is not
clear which, if any, corresponds to the Deepak of Tansen's time. There is a
popular myth that it disappeared because it could indeed bring fire, and so was
simply too dangerous to sing. Other legends tell of his ability to bring wild
animals to listen with attention. Once, a wild white elephant was captured, but
it was fierce and could not be tamed. Finally, Tansen sang to the elephant that
calmed down and the emperor was able to ride on it. Such was the power of his
music that when he used to sing in the court of Akbar The Great, it is said
that candles used to light up automatically.
Many admirers are convinced that his death was caused by a fire
while he was singing the Raga Deepaka (Song of Fire).
Wazir Khan who is of Saraswati Devi Lineage, attended a
conference on music in Kolkata where number of Rajas (kings) and Nawabs
(princes) were present, including Raja of Gauripur. Wazir Khan along with other
musicians performed there. Before performance he asked the attendant at the
conference hall to put off the candles in one of the Chandelier's of the
conference hall. He started playing the Rudra Veena (a musical instrument) and
it happened for a moment that the Chandelier lit up in the glow of candles and
the very next moment it came crashing down to the ground.
Every year in
December, an annual festival, the Tansen
Samaroh, is held in
Gwalior (India) to celebrate Tansen Day.
ISRAR
HASAN
16 MAY
2015
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