THE SONG OF SONGS SCENE –I *Emperor Akbar’s Court+ [Emperor Akbar enters the court. Soldiers praise him] Soldiers
: Long live Emperor Akbar!
Other Courtiers: Long live Emperor Akbar! *Emperor Akbar sits on the throne, all courtiers sit. King wishes to listen to Tansen’s music.+ Akbar
: Dear Tansen,I want to listen to your music now.
Tansen
: At your command your Majesty.
[Tansen takes his Tanpura in his hand and starts singing. Everybody listens to the music in rapt attention. After some time Tansen keeps his Tanpura on the carpet.] Akbar
: [Embraces Tansen] Wonderful, superb! You have the most wonderful voice in this world
Tansen
: (with a smile) No Shehensha,there is someone who sings better than me.
Akbar
: (disbelievingly) really?
Tansen
:
Yes, your Majesty.
Akbar
: Then I want to listen his music also.
Tansen
: (with fear and tension),But…………. your Majesty,
Akbar
: What? What happened?
Tansen
: Iam afraid!
Akbar
: Why Tansen?
Tansen
: He will not come here, your Majesty.
Akbar
: Even if I order, won’t he come?
Tansen
: Yes, your Majesty.Even then.
Akbar
: No problem.if he doesn’t come,I shall go there.
Tansen
: Really,your Majesty?
Akbar
: Yes Tansen.Will you take me there?
Tansen
: Yes your Majesty,but one condition.
Akbar
: condition? What is that?
Tansen
: You should come as an ordinary man,not as an emperor.
Akbar
: Certainly.I shall come as a humble lover of music.
Tansen
: Tomorrow morning shall we go there, your Majesty?
Akbar
: Yes, of course. [End of First scene] SCENE –II (Forest Scene)
[Sant Haridas is sitting and doing meditation,Akbar and Tansen enter] Akbar & Tansen
:(Together,bowing their head) Pranam Guruji.
Sant Haridas
: Oh! Tansen,come.take your seat.What is the matter?
Tansen
: Guruji,we have come here to listen to your music.
Sant Haridas
: Is it? But I do not sing now.
Tansen
: Please Guruji, we have come a long way to listen to your music.
*Repeated pleas do not change Guruji’s mind.Tansen comes forward and thinks for a while.+ Tansen
: (himself) what shall I do now...yes, I got an idea.
Tansen
(comes near Haridas) Guruji, will you please allow me to sing before you?
Haridas
: O.K. sure.
[Tansen starts to sing, he makes deliberate mistake while singing.] Sant Haridas
: Stop Tansen stop. What happened to you? Why do you make mistake? Give me your Tanpura and listen to me.
[Haridas takes Tanpura and starts to sing. His melodious music spreads across the forest] Akbar & Tansen
: Thank you Guruji.Thank you very much. {End of second scene} SCENE –III [Way back to the palace. Akbar & Tansen walk together]
Akbar
: What fantastic music! You have really spoken the truth.
Tansen
: Yes, your Majesty. Nobody can reach his height.
Akbar
: Tansen,why cant you sing like him?
Tansen
: Shahensha, Iam singing for you, on your command. But my Guruji sings for the king of kings. His music comes from his soul. [End of Third scene]