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]