In the history of Hindustani music, there is no name so fascinating, and so haload by the story of countless legends as Tansen's. Born in the early seventeeenth century to a brahmin poet, Makerand Pande and his wife with the blessings of a sufi fakir, Muhammed Ghaus, the child was known by various names, both hindu and muslim. It was Maharaja Ramniranjan of Gwalior who conferred on him the name of Miyan Tansen, a name, by which he is best known. Tansen had his musical education fromthe great ascetic scholar, musician and composer, Swami Haridas of Brindaban. Soon after he became an accomplished musician, Tansen was made the Court-musician, Tansen was made the Court-musician by the Rewa-ruler, Ramsinghi.

Before long, Tansen's fame spread far and wide and Emperor Akbar himself called him to his Court and made him one of the 'Nine Jewels' of the Imperial Court. The art of Hindustani music reached its highest watermark in Tansen's time. It was he who prefected and popularised the dignified and difficult Dhrupads. Tansen's music followers and descendents sang only Dhrupads and are known as the Seniya Gharana. He had as his contemporaries a brilliant galaxy of musicians and poets like Naik Biju, Tulsidas, Ramdas, Meerabai, Surdas and others.

He was not only the greatest Dhrupad-singer but a great musician and skilled composer as well. Abul Fazal wrote: "For a thousand years, there has not been a musician like Tansen". Tansen is also remembered as the author of two very valuable books "Sangeet-Sara" and "Ragmala". Tansen's entire family and the Emperor himself were at his bedside, during his last hours,in Gwalior. The humble memoria to this great genius in Gwalior is today the pilgrimage spot of all music-lovers.

The Department of Posts is preveleged to issue a commemorative stamp on the great musician and composer Tansen.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India