Question

Divide the class into 2 groups. (Teacher divides the story in to 2 parts.) Each group should be allotted one part to be converted to a play/skit format. Combine the two parts, such that the entire story is converted to a play. Also give a suitable title. Present the play in your class.

Answer 1

Characters:

1. Emperor Akbar – The ruler of Hindustan, a lover of music.
2. Tansen – The court musician and Akbar’s favourite singer.
3. Sant Haridas – Tansen’s guru, a saint and a great musician.
4. Courtiers – Akbar’s ministers and royal attendants. 

Part 1: Akbar’s Court

(The court of Emperor Akbar. The hall is filled with courtiers. Tansen is playing his tanpura and singing Raag Darbari.)

Akbar (listening in admiration):
"Wonderful! Superb! I listen to you every day, but I still can’t have enough of your music."

Tansen (bows in gratitude):
"Thank you, Shahenshah."

Akbar:
"I think you have the most wonderful voice in the world!"

Tansen (smiling humbly):
"But I don’t, Shahenshah! There is someone who sings far better than I do."

Akbar (astonished):
"Really? Then I must have him sing in my court. Can you arrange it?"

Tansen (shakes his head):
"I’m afraid he will not come, Sire."

Akbar (surprised):
"What? Not even if he hears that the emperor himself has summoned him?"

Tansen:
"No, not even then."

(The courtiers whisper in amazement. Akbar looks curious and determined.)

Akbar (smiling):
"Very well, Ustadji. If he doesn’t come, I shall go to him myself. Will you take me to him?"

Tansen:
"Yes, Sire, provided you do not go as the Emperor of Hindustan."

Akbar (nodding):
"I shall go as a humble lover of music."

(Lights fade as the scene ends.)

Part 2: The Hut of Sant Haridas

(A simple hut in the forest. Sant Haridas, an elderly man, is seated in meditation. Tansen and Akbar, disguised as a commoner, approach him.)

Tansen (respectfully):
"Guruji, this is my friend, a great admirer of music. He wishes to hear your divine melodies."

Sant Haridas (smiling but firm):
"I am long past the age of singing."

(Tansen looks disappointed. Akbar is eager to hear the saint sing.)

Akbar (whispering to Tansen):
"We must hear him sing. Can we do something?"

(Tansen gets an idea. He starts singing, but deliberately makes mistakes.)

Sant Haridas (frowning):
"That’s not the right note, Tansen! What has happened to you?"

(Sant Haridas takes the tanpura and sings the correct notes. His voice is divine. The music spreads across the forest like the fragrance of jasmine. Akbar and Tansen listen, mesmerized.)

Akbar (whispering to Tansen):
"He truly sings better than you."

(As they walk back, Akbar suddenly speaks.)

Akbar:
"Why can’t you sing like him, Ustadji?"

Tansen (smiling):
"Shahenshah, I sing at your command, the command of the Emperor of Hindustan. But Guruji sings for the Master of even kings—God! His music comes from the depths of his soul, free and unasked for. How can I expect my music to be so beautiful and divine?"

(The scene fades as Akbar stands in deep thought, realizing the true essence of music.)