Tana-Riri

First we heard the story of Tana-Riri by a guide during our visit to Sun Temple Modhera. Though we couldn't visit the historic site of Solanki era, somehow this story stuck in our memory.

Tansen, the famous court musician of Emperor Akbar is known to sing "Raag Deepak" and lit lamps in the court. Once, however, this dedication he rendered to play the tune made him fall sick. It is said only "Megh Malhar Raag" can cure his illness.  There were not many who were well versed in this tune, and definitely not in Akbar's court. Thus began Tansen's search for the singers. He traveled through the length and breadth of India in pursuit to find one. His search ended in Vadnagar, Gujarat where he found Tana and Riri, accomplished singers. Hearing Tansen's plight they sang and brought him back to health.

Once he is back in Delhi, Akbar is very happy to see him and equally impressed by the singer duo. So, they were summoned to sing in Akbar's court. It is a norm in their community not to sing outside the neighborhood of their village deity. Thinking about the repercussion of their decline would have on the village, the distraught sisters chose to end their life by drowning in a well. Much later when Akbar heard about the incident he apologized profusely to sisters' father. He even commanded Tansen to create a new genre in music in honor of Tana-Riri.

The fable became part of Gujarati folk culture.  An annual classical music festival is held in Vadnagar near the Tana-Rari Samadhi every year.  Muscians from all over India perform here in tribute to these sisters.