According to the Chinese traveler Hu Nsang who visited the town in 641, historians have found 37 inscriptions in Brahmi script. As old as this town is, so old is its Nato with music. Vadnagar was a great abode of music, learning and trade.
About 400 families were involved in theater and music at that time.
Tana and Riri were two Brahmin sisters who used their voices to steal Akbar's heart, and this monument was created in their honor. Tana Riri Garden and Festival honors the narrative of Tana and Riri - Naagar sisters, two renowned vocalists from Vadnagar, Gujarat. Shrimati Sharmishta, the granddaughter of Narshinh Maheta, was the mother of these twin sisters. Tansen is claimed to have developed an incurable heat in his body as a result of Deepak Rag, and no one in India has been able to heal him of this excruciating discomfort. Finally, he discovered Tana and Riri, two girls who cured Tansen by singing Mahlar Rag and saved his life. Following this encounter, Akbar was so moved by these two young ladies that he summoned them to his court. These two girls refused to come and committed suicide by writing on the wall and offering themselves as a sacrifice in Vadnagar.After that, the Tana Riri Samadhi was established in Vadnagar, and an annual classical music festival is held near the Samadhi in their honour. Gujarat's government is in charge of all arrangements.
In the 16th century, Kunwarbai, daughter of devotee poet Narasimha Mehta, married his daughter Sharmishtha in Vadnagar, after whom Lake Sharmishtha, named after him, can be seen even today. Two daughters were born in Sharmishtha's house, named Tana and Riri, as if Radhakrishna himself had given these two girls as a boon to Apsara Sami in beauty and Gandharva Sami in music dance. Tana - Riri reverently reveals the raga-ragini with devotional spirit by adoring music. Both sisters assimilated ragas like Bhairav, Vasant, Deepak and Malhar.
At that time, Akbar asked Tansen, a music emperor of nine gems in Akbar's court, to sing Deepak Raag. It is believed that lighting Deepak Raag lights the lamps. But at the same time, there was a burning sensation in the body of this raga singer.
The only way to quell the flames in Tansen's body was to search for a Malhar Raag singer. Hearing the tune that filled Tana and Riri's pots with water, Tansen requested both sisters to remove the fire by Malhar Raag. Tana Riri prepared to sing Ragamalhar in Hatkeshwar temple with the consent of her father. Returning to Delhi, Tansen spoke to Emperor Akbar in detail about the incident and, praising Tanariri, the emperor sent two generals to Vadnagar to bring Tana Riri to Delhi. The two generals came to Vadnagar and asked Tana Riri to come to Delhi, but when they refused, the generals forced her to come to Delhi. And after performing Aarti of Ishtadev, Saubhagya took a fire bath adorned with ornaments. Behind Mahakaleshwar Mahadev, where the cemetery is located. The delays of the two sisters as a symbol of Tana-Riri are still ample evidence of their sacrifice.
When Tansen found out about this, he was very shocked and in honor of Tana-Riri, Nom --- Tom ---- in Dharana, took the name Tana Riri and made it known all over the world.
A Tana-Riri Classical Music Festival is organized at Tana Riri Garden in Vadnagar to pay homage to such Virang Kaladharini sisters. Thousands of spectators flock to enjoy the festival.