tansen (c. 1500 – 26 april 1586), also known to as tan sen or ramtanu, was a well known person of north indian (hindustani) classical music. he was born in a hindu family in the historic city of gwalior, madhya pradesh (the city known for its rich music heritage). he learned and perfected and mastered his art in the gwalior region of modern madhya pradesh under swami haridas. tansen was the title given to him by raja vikramjit of gwalior. he rose to fame and spent most of his adult life in the court and patronage of the hindu king of bandhavgarh (rewa), raja ramchandra singh (r.1555–1592). he became famous for his musical abilities and studies. mughal emperor akbar sent messengers to raja ramchandra singh , requesting tansen to join the musicians at the mughal court. in 1562, about the age of 60, the vaishnava musician tansen joined the akbar court.