Centenary of Tansen Samaroh

Tansen Samaroh Stamp – Celebrating 100 Years of India’s Iconic Classical Music Festival

In the heart of Gwalior, where classical music flows like a timeless river, the Tansen Samaroh has stood for a century as one of India’s most cherished cultural festivals. In 2024, this prestigious event marks its 100th year, and to honor the occasion, the Department of Posts has released a commemorative stamp – the Tansen Samaroh Stamp. This philatelic tribute celebrates not just the festival but the eternal legacy of Miyan Tansen, the legendary maestro of Indian classical music.

The Legacy of Tansen – Music Emperor of India

Born in Behat village near Gwalior, Tansen rose to fame as the most celebrated musician of the Mughal court under Emperor Akbar. His mastery over ragas, creativity in compositions, and unmatched talent earned him the title of Sangeet Samrat (Music Emperor). His genius is immortalized in the lines of Veer Bhanuday Kavya:
“There has been no musician like Tansen, nor will there be one in the future.”

Centuries later, Tansen’s influence continues to resonate, inspiring generations of musicians and shaping the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani classical music.

The Tansen Samaroh – A Century of Melody and Harmony

The Tansen Samaroh is held annually at Tansen’s Samadhi in Gwalior, where artists, scholars, and music lovers gather to celebrate his immortal contribution. What began as Urs Tansen, initiated by Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, evolved into a grand classical music festival embraced by both Hindu and Muslim communities reflecting the unity and harmony that Tansen’s music symbolized.

Over the years, the festival has grown into a global celebration of Indian classical music. From its opening ritual where students perform Dhrupad (the Gwalior gharana’s primary genre) to the Tansen Award, instituted in 1980 to honor outstanding musicians, the festival has become a cultural beacon. Today, the award carries a prestige prize of ₹5 lakhs, recognizing unparalleled contributions to music.

The 2024 Centenary Celebrations

The 100th edition of the Tansen Samaroh in 2024 has been designed to reflect the grandeur of the past century. Alongside performances in Gwalior, the celebrations are expanding worldwide with cultural events in 20 countries, bringing Tansen’s music to international audiences.

His birthplace, Behat, is also being developed into a Music Pilgrimage site, where monthly sessions will honor Tansen’s timeless legacy and connect devotees to the roots of his artistry.

Philatelic Significance – The Tansen Samaroh Stamp

As part of the centenary celebrations, India Post has released the Tansen Samaroh Stamp, a commemorative issue symbolizing Tansen’s eternal contribution to Indian classical music. For philatelists, this stamp is a cultural gem—bridging the worlds of music and heritage. For music lovers, it is a reminder that Tansen’s ragas still echo, uniting hearts across communities and generations.

The Tansen Samaroh Stamp not only celebrates a century of India’s most revered classical music festival but also immortalizes the maestro whose notes continue to define the soul of Hindustani music.