Tansen, the famous singer of Akbar's court, is associated mainly with which form of Hindustani music?

Tansen, the most famous musician of the Mughal emperor Akbar's court, is associated mainly with "dhrupad", the oldest surviving form of Hindustani classical vocal music.

About dhrupad:

• The word comes from "dhruva" (fixed) and "pada" (verse), meaning a fixed composition.
• It is a serious, devotional and dignified style of singing, usually in praise of gods, kings or nature.
• It has four parts: sthayi, antara, sanchari and abhog.
• It begins with a long, slow "alap" (improvisation without rhythm), followed by the composition sung with the pakhawaj (a barrel-shaped drum).
• It developed in the 15th and 16th centuries, in the courts of north India.
• The Dagar family is well known for preserving dhrupad in modern times.
• The four styles (banis) of dhrupad include the Gauhar (Gobarhar) Bani, said to be linked with Tansen.

About Tansen:

• His original name is believed to have been Ramtanu (or Tanna Mishra).
• He was born near Gwalior, in the early 16th century.
• He served at the court of Raja Ramchandra of Rewa before joining Akbar's court in 1562.
• He was regarded as one of the "Navaratnas" (nine jewels) of Akbar's court, according to tradition.
• Akbar gave him the title "Mian".
• He composed many ragas, including "Miyan ki Todi", "Miyan ki Malhar" and "Darbari Kanada".
• Legends say that he could light lamps by singing Raga Deepak and bring rain with Raga Megh Malhar.
• His tomb is at Gwalior, near the tomb of the Sufi saint Muhammad Ghaus.

Other forms of Hindustani music:

• "Khayal": a more flexible and imaginative style, which became popular in the 18th century.
• "Thumri": a light, romantic style, associated with Lucknow and Banaras.
• "Tappa": a fast style based on the songs of camel drivers of Punjab.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Thumri, tappa and ghazal developed later or belong to lighter forms.