The National Tansen Samman, given by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, was instituted in which year?

Explanation

The Government of Madhya Pradesh instituted the National Tansen Samman in 1980. It is one of the most prestigious awards for Hindustani classical music, given every year to an outstanding vocalist or instrumentalist, and it is named after Tansen, the legendary musician of Emperor Akbar's court.

The award is presented during the Tansen Samaroh, a music festival held every year in December in Gwalior, near the tomb of Tansen. The Tansen Samaroh is one of the oldest music festivals in India, and it has been held for about a century. Great musicians of Hindustani music perform at the festival as a tribute to Tansen. The award was given to many of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, which has made it one of the most respected honours in Hindustani music.

Tansen (born Ramtanu) lived in the 16th century. He learnt music from Swami Haridas of Vrindavan, served at the court of Raja Ramchandra of Rewa, and joined the court of Emperor Akbar in 1562, where he became one of the nine jewels (Navaratnas). Akbar gave him the title "Mian". He was a master of dhrupad, and ragas such as Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi and Darbari Kanada are linked with his name. Legends say that he could bring rain by singing Raga Megh Malhar and light lamps by singing Raga Deepak.

Gwalior is also known for the Gwalior gharana, regarded as the oldest gharana of khayal singing. Madhya Pradesh gives several other national awards for the arts, including the Kalidas Samman (1980), the Lata Mangeshkar Award (1984) and the Kishore Kumar Samman.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1950 is the year the Constitution of India came into force.
• ✗1965 is the year the first Jnanpith Award was given.
• ✗2001 is the year Lata Mangeshkar received the Bharat Ratna.