Miyan Tansen is considered among the greatest composer musicians in Indian Hindustani classical music. He was an extraordinary gifted vocalist known for a large number of compositions. He was one of the Navaratnas (nine jewels) at the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Emperor Akbar was known for his taste in literature, art, music and culture. He was a great patron of culture and sought to look upon culture irrespective of the two religions viz., Hinduism and Islam. During his reign, he conferred upon Tansen an honorable title called “Miyan” meaning “the learned man” or “uncle”.

During his lifetime, Tansen graced the nature with his music and voice. It is said that he used to sing Raag Malhar and it used to rain. He was known to be very well conversant with Nature. He used to imitate voices and sounds of animals too. Tansen was buried in the mausoleum complex of his Sufi guru Shaykh Muhammad Ghaus in Gwalior. Every year in December, an annual festival, the Tansen Samaroh, is held in Gwalior to celebrate Tansen at his tomb. This festival and peaceful structure attract many a historian and lovers of Indian culture and music. The tomb is a part of the Gwalior's cultural heritage. Tansen Utsav and Tansen Sangeet Sammelan are other names for the same event. The festival showcases the best of the classical musicians with the best possible music.

Tansen was born at a time when a number of Persian and Central Asian motifs were fusing with Indian classical music. There was also the considerable influence of the Mughal over the Indian culture. It was Tansen’s influence that is considered to be extremely creative for the way Indian classical music has shaped out today. A number of descendants and disciples have also considerably enriched the tradition. Almost all gharanas or streams of Hindustani classical music claim some connection with the legendary singer.