Self-Portrait with Yellow Christ. Painting by Paul Gauguin

Tansen was the greatest musician of his age. He was one of the nine gems (Nava Ratna) in the court of Akbar. Everybody who heard him singing was spellbound. When Tansen was in the court of Akbar, be started to compose new ragas or melodies based on classical Indian music. Tansen had a friendship with the great poet Surdasa and used to sing his bhajans or devotional songs. It is said that after joining the court of Akbar, Tansen became arrogant