Maharashtra Board Class 9 English Unit 4 Poem Tansen 4.5 Solutions

Class 9 English Chapter 4.5 Question Answer Maharashtra Board

Tansen 9th Std Question Answer

Warming Up:

 

Question (a) Indian Classical Music consists of many Ragas. Find out from an expert or from the internet, the names of at least 10 Ragas and the time they are sung to produce greater effect.
Answer:

Name of Raga	Effective when
1. Pahadi	evening
2. Bhairav	sung in the morning
3. Deepak	evening
4. Malkous	small hours of the morning
5. Yaman	sunset to late evening
6. Bhimpalasi	late afternoon to sunset
7. Kedar	late evening to midnight
8. Jog	small hours of the morning
9. Bhairavi	often at the end of a long musical performance.
10. Gaud Malhar	monsoon

(Students can find more information from the Internet.)
In simple words: Indian classical music utilizes various Ragas, each designed to evoke specific emotions and sung at particular times of day or seasons for maximum impact. Understanding these Ragas helps appreciate the depth of Indian music.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list items, aim for clarity and accuracy. For tables, ensure correct data alignment and formatting for readability.

 

Question (b) Archaic words are those that are no longer used in a language, but sometimes their usage adds a historical or old-times flavour to a piece of writing. Examples:
Answer:
1. behold - look
2. afeared - frightened
3. forsooth - indeed
4. hither - this place
Now find out some archaic words from your mother tongue or another language that you are proficient in and write down at least ten of them, and against each, their modern equivalent and meaning in English.
Archaic Language

Archaic word	Modem equivalent	Meaning in English
1.
2.

(Students can find out from their parents or other elders, and attempt this in their own mother tongue.)
In simple words: Archaic words are old words no longer in common use but can add a historical feel to writing. Identifying their modern equivalents and meanings helps understand older texts and appreciate linguistic evolution.

🎯 Exam Tip: For language-based questions, provide clear examples and definitions. Encourage students to explore their native language for similar concepts.

 

Question (c) There are many legends about the 'nine gems' in Akbar's Court. Can you name some of the nine gems and the stories associated with them?
Answer: The nine gems of Akbar's court were:
1. Abu'l Fazi ibn Mubarak
2. Raja Todar Mal
3. Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana
4. Raja Birbal
5. Mulla Do-Piyaza
6. Faizi
7. Fakir Aziao-Din
8. Tansen and
9. Raja Man Singh I.
There are plenty of Akbar-Birbal stories and those of Akbar and Tansen that are famous. (Students can read these stories either from the library or from the internet.)
In simple words: Akbar's court was famous for its 'nine gems' (Navaratnas), who were eminent personalities in various fields like music, poetry, and administration. Their legends highlight their contributions and wisdom during the Mughal era.

🎯 Exam Tip: Listing historical figures correctly is important. For names, ensure accurate spelling. For associated stories, a brief mention of the type of stories is sufficient if full details are not requested.

English Workshop:

 

1. Pick out the archaic words from the poem and give their modern equivalents:

 

Question 1. Pick out the archaic words from the poem and give their modern equivalents:

Archaic Words	Modern Equivalents
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Answer:

Archaic Words	Modem Equivalents
1. thy	your
2. thine	yours
3. 'twere	it were
4. o'er	over
5. thee	you

In simple words: Archaic words are older forms of common words. 'Thy' means 'your', 'thine' means 'yours', 'twere' is a contraction for 'it were', 'o'er' means 'over', and 'thee' means 'you'.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing archaic words and their modern equivalents, ensure precise matching. This demonstrates comprehension of vocabulary changes over time.

 

2. Write who said the following words, to whom, and when:

 

Question 2. Write who said the following words, to whom, and when: (The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:

The expression/sentences	Who said it	To whom	When
1. "Ah, no, to thee I sing: he sings to God."	Tansen	Akbar	When Akbar asks him to sing the same musical composition that Ostad had sung, in the same way.
2. 'What theme this is that holds the soul enchanted.'	Akbar	Tansen	When Akbar hears the beautiful musical composition that Ostad had sung.

In simple words: This table identifies who spoke specific lines, to whom they were addressed, and the context (when) they were uttered, highlighting key interactions in the story.

🎯 Exam Tip: For dialogue analysis, correctly identifying speaker, listener, and situational context is crucial for full marks. Pay attention to subtle cues in the text.

 

3. Rearrange the following in their proper order as in the poem. Write the serial number against each line:

 

Question 1. Rearrange the following in their proper order as in the poem. Write the serial number against each line: (The answer is given directly.)
Answer:
(a) The Ostad sang the Malkous Raga enchantingly. [6]
(b) Akbar followed Tansen, dressed miserably. [4]
(c) I request you to sing such a song that I will experience unmatched joy. [9]
(d) Ostad was nowhere to be seen. [8]
(e) O Divine Teacher, please gift us the joy of your song. [5]
(f) One day, the singer sang Deepak Raga in the court. [1]
(g) Akbar expressed his wish to meet the Teacher. [3]
(h) He experienced heavenly delight. [7]
(i) Tansen sings to please the earthly king but Ostad devotes his songs to God. [10]
(j) She sang Raga Malhar, which had a cooling effect. [2]
In simple words: This task requires ordering the events of the poem chronologically. The correct sequence reveals the narrative flow from Tansen's court performance to Akbar's encounter with Ostad and the subsequent reflection.

🎯 Exam Tip: For sequencing questions, read the text carefully to identify time markers or cause-and-effect relationships between events. Numbering helps track the order efficiently.

 

4. Write the reason in your own words:

 

Question (a) Akbar strongly desired to hear Ostad (the teacher) sing.
Answer: Akbar was enraptured with Tansen's singing. He said that Tansen's teacher must be and divine for Tansen to have learnt to sing so magically under his coaching. Akbar then felt that Ostad's singing would be even better, and so he strongly desired to hear Ostad sing.
In simple words: Akbar was so impressed by Tansen's divine singing that he believed Tansen's teacher, Ostad, must be even more extraordinary, sparking a strong desire to hear him perform.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining reasons, connect the given statement directly to the preceding events or motivations. Use clear, concise language to articulate the cause.

 

Question (b) Akbar had to dress like a slave.
Answer: Akbar badly wanted to meet Tansen's teacher and hear him sing. However, the teacher did not think it worthy to sing to kings, and hence Tansen suggested that it would be better for Akbar to meet him as a poor slave. Therefore Akbar changed his kingly attire and wore the robes of a poor man.
In simple words: Ostad, Tansen's teacher, did not sing for kings. To meet him and hear his music, Akbar disguised himself as a poor slave on Tansen's advice, showing his humility and deep desire for the art.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the underlying motive and the necessity of the action. Explaining the teacher's philosophy is key to understanding Akbar's disguise.

 

Question (c) After the song, Ostad had vanished.
Answer: Ostad vanished because he probably did not; want to hear any praise or any demands for more songs.
In simple words: Ostad vanished after his performance because he was detached from worldly praise and did not want to be constrained by requests for further performances, valuing his art's purity over recognition.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character's actions, infer their motivations based on their known personality traits or the context provided in the story.

 

Question (d) Ostad's song was more elating than Tansen's songs.
Answer: Ostad's song was more elating than Tansen's songs because Tansen sang to Akbar, a human being - while Ostad sang to God.
In simple words: Ostad's music was more profound because he sang purely for divine devotion, unlike Tansen, who, despite his talent, sang for an earthly king. This difference in purpose elevated Ostad's performance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the contrast in motivation between the two musicians. The purpose behind the art often dictates its depth and impact, which is a key theme in the poem.

 

5. What message does the poet wish to convey through this narrative poem, 'Tansen'?

 

Question 1. What message does the poet wish to convey through this narrative poem, 'Tansen'?
Answer: The poet wishes to convey that one can reach great heights in one's field if one becomes unworldly and devotes one's talents to someone or something higher than mere human beings.
In simple words: The poem teaches that true artistic mastery and spiritual elevation come from dedicating one's talent to a higher, selfless purpose, transcending worldly desires and recognition.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for the message or theme, identify the central moral or lesson conveyed by the narrative. Connect it to the characters' actions and their outcomes.

 

6. Summarise the poem in your own words in 8-10 lines, highlighting only the main points.

 

Question 1. Summarise the poem in your own words in 8-10 lines, highlighting only the main points.
Answer:TansenTansen was a singer in Akbar's court. One day, he sang the Deepak Raga so well that Akbar was enraptured. He wished to meet the teacher at whose feet Tansen had learnt to sing so magically. However, the teacher lived in a remote cave in the Himalayas. He shunned wealth and disdained to sing to earthly kings. Akbar donned the clothes of a slave and went with Tansen to meet him. On their request, Ostad sang the Malkous Raga. It was so enchanting that Akbar felt as if he had been transported to Heaven. Soon after this, Ostad vanished. Akbar asked Tansen whether he could sing the same musical composition that Ostad had sung. Tansen replied that he could not, for he, Tansen, sang to earthly kings, while his Ostad sang to God.
In simple words: The poem describes Akbar's quest to hear Tansen's legendary teacher, Ostad. After Tansen's Deepak Raga, Akbar, disguised, visited Ostad in the Himalayas. Ostad's divine Malkous Raga profoundly moved Akbar, revealing the difference between singing for earthly praise and singing for God.

🎯 Exam Tip: For summaries, focus on the key events, characters, and the central conflict or message. Ensure conciseness and adhere to the specified word/line count.

English Kumarbharati 9th Digest Chapter 4.5 Tansen Additional Important Questions And Answers

Simple Factual Activity:

 

Question 1. Say whether the following statements are True or False:
Answer:(The answers are given directly and underlined.)
1. Akbar was fond of music. True
2. Malhar is the Song of Fire. False
3. Akbar rewarded Tansen for his singing. True
4. Tansen did not come back to normal. False
In simple words: This activity tests basic comprehension of facts from the poem, verifying understanding of key plot points and character details.

🎯 Exam Tip: For true/false questions, carefully read each statement and cross-reference it with the text to confirm accuracy. One small detail can change a statement's truth value.

 

Question 2. Write who said the following words, to whom, and when: (The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:

Utterance	Who said it	To whom	When
"Mighty thy teacher must be and divine."	Akbar	Tansen	After hearing the wonderful Deepak Raga.
"He dwells within a cave of Himalay."	Tansen	Akbar	When Akbar praised Tansen and asked him about his teacher.
"As you desire, Huzoor."	Tansen	Akbar	When Akbar told Tansen that he wanted to see the teacher and hear him sing.
"O Holy Master, bless us with thy song!"	Akbar and Tansen	The teacher	When they met the teacher in the mountains.

In simple words: This table maps specific quotes from the poem to their speakers, listeners, and the narrative moments in which they were spoken, clarifying character interactions and plot development.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying dialogue context is crucial. Always consider who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what events precede or follow the utterance to determine the 'when'.

Complex Factual Activity:

 

Question 1. How did Akbar reward Tansen for the ecstatic effect of his singing?
Answer: Akbar rewarded Tansen by praising him, gifting him a lot of jewels and calling him the chief jewel in his diadem.
In simple words: Akbar rewarded Tansen with high praise, valuable jewels, and the esteemed title of "chief jewel in his diadem," showing his immense appreciation for Tansen's musical talent.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing rewards or consequences, be specific about the nature of the reward. Details like "praising him" and "gifting jewels" provide a complete answer.

 

Question 2. What happened to Tansen when he sang the Deepak Raga with great fervour?
Answer: When Tansen sang the Deepak Raga with great fervour, his body burst into flames and burnt like a pyre.
In simple words: Tansen's intense rendition of the Deepak Raga caused his body to spontaneously burst into flames, showcasing the Raga's powerful and dangerous nature when sung perfectly.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions about dramatic events, ensure your description captures the full impact and consequence as depicted in the story.

 

Question 3. How did he (Tansen) come back to normal again?
Answer: He(Tansen) came back to normal again when a maiden sang Malhar, the song of cold water, and put out the fire.
In simple words: Tansen was restored to normalcy after a maiden sang the Malhar Raga, a song of cold water, which extinguished the flames consuming him from the Deepak Raga.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific counter-action or remedy described in the text. This demonstrates understanding of how the conflict (Tansen burning) was resolved.

 

Question 4. What does the incident tell us about Tansen's singing?
Answer: The incident tells us that Tansen's singing was whole-hearted, magical and divine.
In simple words: The incident reveals that Tansen's singing was not just skillful but also deeply heartfelt, possessing magical and divine qualities that could manifest powerful physical effects.

🎯 Exam Tip: Interpret the significance of an event. Go beyond merely stating what happened to explain what it implies about a character or theme.

 

Question 5. What did Tansen tell Akbar about his teacher?
Answer: Tansen told Akbar that his teacher stayed in a remote cave in the Himalayas, far away from the unworthy crowds, scorning worldly wealth. He did not think it worthy to sing to kings, and hence Tansen suggested that it would be better for Akbar to meet him as a poor slave.
In simple words: Tansen informed Akbar that his teacher lived a secluded life in the Himalayas, avoided worldly distractions and wealth, and only sang for a divine purpose, never for kings.

🎯 Exam Tip: When recounting character dialogue or information, summarize the key details accurately. Focus on the essential aspects that convey the core message.

 

Question 6. What was the magical effect of Ostad's rendering the Malkous Raga?
Answer: When Ostad sang the Malkous Raga, the birds and beasts gathered around, enchanted with the song. Akbar felt waves of heavenly rapture. He felt his soul was enchanted and his heart was filled with delight.
In simple words: Ostad's Malkous Raga had a mesmerizing effect, drawing in birds and animals and filling Akbar with a sense of heavenly rapture, enchanting his soul and delighting his heart.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the sensory and emotional impact of the event. Use descriptive language to convey the 'magical effect' as presented in the poem.

 

Question 7. What happened before Akbar could come out of his trance?
Answer: Ostad had vanished before Akbar could come out of his trance.
In simple words: Before Emperor Akbar could fully recover from the profound trance induced by Ostad's enchanting Malkous Raga, the mysterious teacher had already disappeared.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the immediate consequence or action that occurred. This highlights the ephemeral nature of Ostad's presence and his detachment from worldly affairs.

 

Question 8. Why did Tansen's singing not produce the same effect as that by Ostad?
Answer: Tansen's singing did not produce the same effect as that by Ostad because Tansen sang to Akbar - a human being - while Ostad sang to God.
In simple words: Tansen's singing lacked the same divine impact as Ostad's because Tansen performed for an earthly king, whereas Ostad dedicated his music solely to God, imbuing it with a higher spiritual purpose.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the core difference in motivation and audience. The spiritual dedication versus earthly performance is the central theme differentiating their musical impact.

Activities Based On Poetic Devices:

 

Question 1. Pick out the rhyming pairs of words in the first six lines.
Answer: Rhyming words: Court - Fort, bells - tells, gem - diadem.
In simple words: In the initial lines of the poem, the words 'Court' and 'Fort' rhyme, as do 'bells' and 'tells', and 'gem' with 'diadem', creating a musical flow.

🎯 Exam Tip: For rhyming word identification, listen for similar end sounds. Accuracy in listing pairs is essential.

 

Question 2. 'His voice rang like the sound of silver bells.' Pick out and explain the figure of speech in this line.
Answer: Simile: His voice is compared to the sound of silver bells, with the use of the word 'like'.
In simple words: The figure of speech is Simile, recognized by the use of 'like' to directly compare 'his voice' to the pleasant and clear 'sound of silver bells'.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify a simile, look for direct comparisons using "like" or "as." Clearly state the two items being compared.

 

Question 3. Pick out the rhyming words in the last six lines of the extract. What is the rhyme scheme?
Answer: Rhyming words are: slave - cave, feet - sweet, long - song. The rhyme scheme is aa, in rhyming couplets.
In simple words: In the poem's concluding lines, 'slave' rhymes with 'cave', 'feet' with 'sweet', and 'long' with 'song'. This consistent pairing results in an 'aa' rhyme scheme, characteristic of rhyming couplets.

🎯 Exam Tip: When determining rhyme scheme, assign a letter to each new end sound. Consistent pairs (AA, BB, CC) indicate rhyming couplets.

 

Question 4. Pick out the figure of speech in the sentence: 'He felt the waves of heavenly rapture roll.'
Answer: The figure of speech is Alliteration; repetition of the sound of the letter 'r'.
In simple words: The figure of speech here is Alliteration, marked by the repetition of the 'r' sound in 'rapture' and 'roll', creating a rhythmic effect.

🎯 Exam Tip: Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close together. Identify the repeated sound and provide the words demonstrating it.

Point Format (For Understanding)

• Title: Tansen
• Poet: Hazrat Inayat Khan
• Rhyme Scheme: The poem is in rhyming couplets. So the rhyme scheme is aa.
• Figure of Speech: Alliteration. 'Tell me, Tansen, what theme this is that holds'. Repetition of the sound of the letter 't'. The other figures of speech are Simile and Inversion.
• Theme/Central idea: This narrative poem depicts Akbar's appreciation of Tansen's singing, his meeting with Tansen's teacher, and what he felt during this meeting. The final lines lead to the climax of the narration.

Paragraph Format:

'Tansen' by Hazrat Inayat Khan is a narrative poem depicting Akbar's appreciation of Tansen's singing, his meeting with Tansen's teacher, and what he felt during this meeting. The final lines lead to the climax of the narration.

The poem is in rhyming couplets. So the Rhyme Scheme is aa. A Figure of Speech : Alliteration: 'Tell me, Tansen, what theme this is that holds' - Repetition of the sound of the letter 't'. The other figures of speech are Simile and Inversion.

The poet wishes to convey that one can reach great heights in one's field if one becomes unworldly and devotes one's talents to someone or something higher than mere human beings. The story is told systematically and logically and can be easily understood.

Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English Solutions

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