Akbar, Tansen and a bit of Public Policy

Why do we write and for whom?

For whom do we sing? Or for that matter for whom do we write, argue, fight? There must be a purpose. The purpose could be a personal one or could be in public spirit or a combination of both. 

Also, certain phenomena occur by the order of the nature. When I was the editor of a literary magazine in my student days, I met Prof. Shantanu Acharya, to take his interview for the magazine. I asked him, now in hindsight, a foolish question – For whom do you write? He was quite shocked in my question. For the next 10 minutes or so, whatever he said, I could not even dare to record in my old tape recorder. His point was that – being from such a prestigious and heritage college, how even I could ask such a silly question?

His answer was that – why do flowers bloom? Why the sun rises? Why do springs flow? Why do the birds chirp in the morning? Why? Not only he was a great literary person, he was a remarkable chemistry professor. The essence of his anger was that – he doesn’t write for any specific group of people. He writes because he writes [Does it sound like Rajan’s - I do what I do?]. Well, I was not convinced then. I thought there must be a purpose in writing. Writing is not a natural occurrence of some phenomena. Possibly I could not frame my question properly.

Till date I am dealing with that same question. Why do we write or for that matter why do we do whatever we do?

Here goes a story adapted from Deep Trivedi’s book.

Here is the Story:

Akbar was a big fan of art and culture. There were many talented singers, musicians, and composers in his durbar. Tansen was a gifted singer – a celebrated vocalist of that era. One day Akbar was showering his praise on Tansen telling him that – no one of his caliber was ever born or will ever be born!

Ah! Tansen was not impressed with this praise. He said – ‘Oh My king, why in future or in the past, there is someone now at this hour who sings far better than me. Even any comparison would be a disrespect to him as well as to music. He also does not live far away.’

King was surprised and thought Akbar is becoming humble. So just to check him Akbar requested Tansen to invite the singer to his court – Let there be an open competition in my court. Let’s see who sings better unless you intentionally ditch me to prove your point.

Tansen in a stern voice replied – Oh My King, if you are keen to listen to his singing, you must go to his place. He does not go to any place as well as he won’t sing on the demand of his majesty. He sings only when he feels like signing.

It further increased the curiosity of King Akbar and he murmured – ‘Who could be that person who would not even come to King’s court? Is Tansen making up a story?’

Tansen further opened – Oh my King, he is my Guru Swami Haridas. If you really want to hear his music, you must take all the efforts to go to his place.

Tansen, being a great devotee of good music started his journey with Tansen. Just before approaching Swami Haridas’s Kutir (cottage), Tansen suddenly asked the King to hide. He asked the king to hide behind the bush and wait there patiently till Swami Haridas starts singing.

It made King Akbar furious as well as extremely uncomfortable. Afterall he is the King. He asked Tansen – You go and inform your Guru that King has come to his place to listen him singing. Swami Haridas would be happy hearing that.

Tansen replied – it won’t matter at all whether you are a king or a civilian. Your arrival and departure won’t make any impact on him. He will sing whenever he feels like singing. So, the only way for you to listen him singing is by waiting here patiently.

King had no option but to bury himself under the bushes!

Around midnight, Swami Haridas’s enchanting voice made the whole place lively. It was a divine sound flowing naturally amidst all the surrounding darkness. Akbar was spellbound. After a few seconds, his tears started flowing as natural as the sound waves. He just could not believe what he was listening.

Akbar when regained his senses fully asked Tansen – Tansen, why can’t you sing like your guru? Try for it. After all you are his disciple. If you try, you can possibly one day be a singer like your Guru.

Tansen was smiling. He was just observing the King and to his reactions. Finally came a reply from Tansen – ‘Oh My King! It is not a matter of practice. Even if I practice for thousand years, I can never come close to him.’

Akbar – Why?

Tansen replied – It is because I sing to please you, your Majesty. Guru Haridas sings for the supreme God in his own volition. He never sings in expectations of something from someone. He never sings with a motive to please someone. He sings because he sings.

Akbar understood the reply and didn’t dare further to interrogate Tansen. After all singing for a mortal being and singing for divinity is not a match.

Now comes the part related to mundane things we do!

Let’s say when we use public space to write something – for whom do we write? To please someone higher up or for someone much supreme. In public policy - Is that supreme-being from Gandhi Ji’s talisman - the poorest and the weakest man [woman], the hungry, the deprived, the downtrodden, the voiceless?

This is the ultimate test of a public policy and use [abuse] of public space.

In Gandhiji's word - "Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."