Tansen, the court musician of Akbar, learnt music from which saint-musician?

Explanation

According to tradition, Tansen learnt music for many years from Swami Haridas, a saint-musician of Vrindavan, who was one of the greatest masters of dhrupad of his time.

Swami Haridas lived in the 16th century in Vrindavan, near Mathura. He was a devotee of Lord Krishna and the founder of the Haridasi (Sakhi) sampradaya, a devotional tradition. He composed and sang devotional songs in the dhrupad style and is regarded as one of the founders of the dhrupad tradition. He never sang at a royal court, but sang only for God. A famous story says that Emperor Akbar, after hearing Tansen praise his guru, went to Vrindavan in disguise with Tansen to hear Swami Haridas sing, because the saint would not come to court. Another legendary singer, Baiju Bawra, is also said to have been his disciple.

Tansen (born Ramtanu) was born in the early 16th century, near Gwalior. He first served at the court of Raja Ramchandra of Rewa, and in 1562 he joined the court of Emperor Akbar, where he became one of the nine jewels (Navaratnas) of the court. Akbar gave him the title "Mian". Tansen was a master of dhrupad, and he is credited with creating or popularising ragas such as Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi and Darbari Kanada. Many legends are told about his music, such as the story that he could light lamps by singing Raga Deepak. He also learnt from the Sufi saint Muhammad Ghaus of Gwalior. Tansen's tomb is in Gwalior, and the Tansen Samaroh, a famous music festival, is held there every December.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Kabir was a 15th century saint-poet of the Bhakti movement.
• ✗Amir Khusrau was a poet-musician of the Delhi Sultanate, called the father of qawwali.
• ✗Purandara Dasa is called the "Father of Carnatic Music".