Tansen Music Festival in Gwalior

Gwalior is the city in North India that lies 76 km fromit was held yearly, becoming part of a tradition, to
Agra. The city occupies a special position in Indiancommemorate their death anniversary.
music history. It is one of the places that sawFestival Highlights
through the tremendous developments in theTansen Music Festival is the gathering of musicians
Hindustani Classical Music genre. Gwalior is also theand singers performing through five long nights of
home of the famous Indian musician, Miyan Tansen.classical ragas. Inspiring musical numbers are sung by
The death of Tansen is the birth of Gwalior's Musicrenowned classical and folk song singers like Asif
Festival. It is also known as The Tansen SangeethZeriya, Nidhi Dholakiya, Gargi Vora, Harikant Sevak
Sammelan. It is held in memory of Miyan Tansen. Theand Arunkant Sevak. Loksangeet is delivered by
festival is celebrated yearly during November andBihari Hemu Gadhvi and Yashwant Gadhvi.
December, within a span of five nights.Other attractions in the event are seminars about
Miyan Tansen was a famous musician in India andclassical music, a heritage walk and an exhibition of
was admired by the King. He became one of the ninetraditional instruments. The five ancient gates are also
jewels at Akbar's court of the Mughal era. Emperora tourist interest. These are the Nandiol, Eithodi,
Akbar was believed to be the father of music. MiyanArajanbari, Amthor Darwaza and the Ghaskot
Tansen's fame spread when he joined RajaDarwaza. The Sharmistha Talav pond is also
Ramachandra Baghela's court.enlightened with thousands of lamps.
Tansen died in 1589, right when he was at the peakThe Tansen Samman award is presented to
of his popularity. He was then buried in Gwalior. Hisdeserving musicians in the field of classical music.
tomb serves as a great venue for his contribution toMaestro Ustad Abdul Haleem Jaffar Khan is this
Indian music. His memorial is part of Gwalior's livingyear's awardee.
cultural heritage. It was built in an early MughalDignatories of the government are also witnesses to
architectural technique.the program. They are the Revenue Minister Kaushik
The Gujarat government also decided to bring up aPatel, Mangaldas Patel (Assembly Speaker),
two-day music festival in memory of Riri and Tana.Anandiben Patel (Education Minister), C D Patel
They are the two sisters who rendered Raag(Tourism Minister), Anil Patel (Industry Minister) and
Meghmalhar, bringing help to Tansen's illness. Legendministers from the Mehsana district.
says that Tana and Riri had an interpretation of theThe grand performances attract the young and the
song Megamaldhar that cured Miyan Tansen. The kingold, especially music lovers. Attending the festival is
was pleased and the court musician Tansen decidedan easy access to all the main cities of India. Places
to search for the two girls.to stay in include Hotel Gwalio Regency, Usha Kiran
The King asked the two girls to sing at Akbar's courtPlace and Hotel Tansen.
but they ended their lives in a well rather than toThese five mesmerizing nights are truly memorable
refuse him. Riri and Tana did not want to cause warcultural experiences that bring joy to many people.
within their town. From then on, the governmentTansen Music Festival is truly a musical congregation
gave importance to the two sisters in a form of athat showcases the incomparable contribution of
concert, particularly starting last 2003. From then on,Tansen, bringing charm to Hindustani music.