How did tansen prove that there is a better singer than him?

There is a popular anecdote about Tansen, a renowned musician in the court of Emperor Akbar, which illustrates how he proved that there was a better singer than him.

According to the story, Tansen was considered the greatest singer of his time and was known for his exceptional talent. However, he was aware of a legendary singer named Baiju Bawra, who was said to be even more skilled than him. Tansen wanted to meet Baiju Bawra and witness his talent firsthand.

Tansen traveled to the city where Baiju Bawra resided and disguised himself as a poor beggar. He approached Baiju Bawra and requested him to sing a particular raga (a melodic framework in Indian classical music). Baiju Bawra agreed but asked the beggar to sing first.

Tansen, being a master musician, sang the raga flawlessly, showcasing his extraordinary skills. Baiju Bawra listened attentively and acknowledged Tansen's talent. However, he noticed a subtle flaw in Tansen's rendition, a note that was slightly off-key.

When it was Baiju Bawra's turn to sing, he flawlessly performed the same raga, but this time he intentionally replicated the same flaw that he had noticed in Tansen's rendition. Tansen, being a true connoisseur of music, immediately recognized the flaw and realized that Baiju Bawra was indeed a better singer than him.

Tansen was deeply impressed by Baiju Bawra's exceptional musicianship and acknowledged his superiority. This incident humbled Tansen and made him realize that there were other talented musicians who could surpass him in certain aspects of music.

This story highlights Tansen's humility and his recognition of the fact that there can always be someone better in any field, even for the most accomplished individuals.