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Raja Bhoj
Prithvivallabh and Raja Bhoj were devoted music lovers and
they themselves were practitioners of the fine art. Raja Bhoj
was considered a great authority on this stream of art. With
a view to immortalising his love for music he built Bharati
Bhavan at Dhar near Ujjain, which was a pilgrimage centre
for musicians hailing from all over India. Great musicians
of that age did their sadhana and later performed at Bharati
Bhavan which also attracted scholars from all over India.
Jaideva's Geet Govind also mentions that Malava Rag had wide
popularity. All these works of classical literature go to
prove that Madhya Pradesh had glorious tradition of music
in ancient times and the state contributed immensely to the
development of music.
The music tradition in Madhya Pradesh got a setback during
the medieval period which saw the advent of Muslim rulers
in the state and elsewhere in India. However, the Chandels
of Mahoba, the Tomars of Gwalior, the Bundelas of Orchcha
and Datia and the Sultans of Malwa kept the tradition of music
alive.
After this period the music tradition revived and touched
great heights. When the medieval period was about to end Maharaja
Kumbha composed Sangeet Rag which marked a new style of music
and the decline of Margi style.
The Tomar rulers of Gwalior were dedicated patrons of music
and one of the rulers Doongarendra Singh introduced Dhrupad
style of music. Raja Man Singh and Rani Mriganayani who were
accomplished musicians themselves, gave tremendous impetus
to this art. The Raja founded a music school at Man Mandir,
Gwalior. Some of the great musicians of this period were Gopal
Nayak, Govind Swami and Goswami Vishnu Das.
Sultans of Mandu
The Sultans of Mandu were also great devotees of music and
they promoted the art. Rani Roopmati whose love for Bajbahadur
is immortal, was also an accomplished singer. The immortal
singer of Moghal period Tansen belonged to Gwalior. He was
one of the nine gems of the Moghal emperor Akbar. Tansen gave
a new meaning to classical music. He evolved new ragas like
Tansen ki Malhar, and Tansen ki Todi. Tansen inspired many
other musicians and took music to the pinnacle of glory.
Courtesy: Central Chronicle
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