Situated on the
northernmost fringe of MP, barely 120 km south of Agra and five hours from Delhi, Gwalior
is a perfect place to start a trip to Madhya Pradesh. The magnificent Gwalior Fort,
perched on an enormous rock massif, dominates the skyline of the city. Gwalior lived
through Indian history, page by page. It was the seat of a powerful dynasty, ruled by
great kings as the kingdom of Gwalior dominated the military and trade routes between
north and south India.
The city has a strong cultural heritage with some of the finest Indian
Classical musicians claiming it as home. The long tradition of Hindustani classical music
spans medieval to modern times as it flourished under royal patronage. The eminent
musicians associated with Gwalior include Tansen, one of Mughal Emperor Akbars
nine jewels (17th century), vocalist Onkarnath Thakur (1897-1967)
and sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his forefathers who trace their unbroken
lineage three centuries back and whose sons enthrall audiences around the world with their
musical heritage.
Tansens Tomb, part of the citys living cultural heritage, is
the venue for an All India annual Music Festival (November-December) when Indias
leading artistes gather to pay tribute to the greatest musician of all.