What is the story of baiju bawara and tansen of akbar court?

Answer 1

How many of us have heard of Baiju - Baiju Bawra? If it was not for a Hindi film made half century ago many of us would never have known Baiju. Like Tansen, Baiju was also a deciple of Swami Haridas. As the legend goes, when Baiju was a young child he was passing through the city of Fathehpur Sikri with his father and his father's trope of musicians who were singing bhajans. As they passed though the town they were challenged by the guards of the city who jailed them for defying the orders of Tansen by singing in public. All but one were murdered by the great servants of the grave empire. Baiju's life was spared as he was a small child.

Burning with revenge and the injustice caused to him, Baiju came to Swami Haridas to learn music and spent his childhood with his guru. Finally there was a time when he entered the city of Fatehpur Sirki one more time and was again captured for his crime of singing. He was produced before the court where it was decided that he will have to compete with Tansen because he had challenged Tansen's supremacy in music. The looser was to pay with his life. The competition happened and the mighty Tansen fell flat before the Baiju. Tansen fell at Baiju's feet and asked his life to be spared. As a prize for having defeated Tansen, Akbar asked Baiju to ask for whatever he wanted. The kind hearted Baiju asked Akbar to spare Tansen's life and also to lift the ban on music in the town. Baiju returned to Gwalior. Tansen continued in his role as a Navratna. Our country hardly remembers Baiju and Tansen shines and inspires till date.

There is something in this soil which intrigues me. There is something about my country which puts it in a different league. When I think of myself, I am proud to be born in the land where Baiju once walked. When I look at the greatest giants of my India, they lived their lives in the most humble and simple ways. Life of a yogi goes far beyond the ascetics in this land. It mesmerizes me to hear the tales of people taller than one can imagine - of souls who were born free - of goals which were beyond the riches, recognitions, power and control that this world can ever offer.

If I was supposed to counsel myself on what to make out of my life - I am glad that the examples before me are much bigger than the richest, the strongest, the most successful and the most popular people of all the times.

Answer 2

Baiju Bawra and Tansen were both famed musicians in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Legend has it that they had a musical duel to prove their skills where each tried to outshine the other. Tansen emerged victorious, showcasing his mastery over Classical Music, while Baiju Bawra accepted his defeat gracefully.