Throne of a maestro

Anoop Talao, Fatehpur Sikri

It was too hot and the remorseless heat of the Sun was playing Raag Deepak in the entire premises of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra. Sweltered by the mid day Sun, in the array of red sandstone edifices of Fatehpur Sikri, we were avidly listening to the superficial anecdotes of history from our guide, sagas of sheen of the desolate royal premise that was deserted due to dearth of water by Emperor Akbar, just fourteen years after its construction. My vision leapt on abundantly spread examples of applauding craftsmanship of Mughal architecture on the royal buildings of Fatehpur Sikri. Exposed under the infuriating radiation in the glade, I was transfixed and got dragged to architecture that appeared like an oasis in the arid desert, with four walkways built on a tiny lake attached to a square platform at the centre and nicely carved red sandstone trellis abutting the precincts.

Anoop Talao, Fatehpur Sikri

It was Anoop Talao, the seat of royal vocalist in the court of Akbar. Emerged like a throne of a legendry maestro of Hindustani classical music, Tansen. Where he kindled incandescent flame of classical music through his unique compositions and vocally portrayed fascinating shades of changing nature and made the treasure of Hindustani Classical music wealthier. Tansen, was a gift to the court of Akbar from the king of Rewa and adorably called Mian by the emperor. Listened by his greatest admirer Emperor Akbar from Khwabgah or emperor`s rest room, Anoop Talao was said to have dazzled with the glint of countless Gold and Silver coins.

The deserted seat of the legendry performer appeared to me like a poignant listener of wailing wind, the seat that witnessed Tansen to electrify his royal audience through his compositions or witnessed rain to overpower the incense of gleaming Sun brought by Mian ki Malhar.