For more than 200 men and women, including a number of teenagers involved as dancers, performers, actors, dance masters, stage and publicity managers, graphic designers and special effects experts, the completion of ‘Taj Mahal’ is an exciting prospect, although how they would cope with the quietude after the event is something they would not contemplate now.
As they fine-tune their acts, giving final changes to the mammoth production, they would have the satisfaction of having been a part of one of the most colourful eras of Indian history.
Cultural rhapsody
Taj Mahal: A Dance Drama will go on stage at the ASB Theatre (Aotea Centre) in Auckland City on March 31, bringing together people of varied ethnicity and beliefs, each endeavouring to do his or her best and relive Mughal India, replete with its aesthetic architecture, exquisite costumes and vivacious dancers and performers.
This event, produced and presented by Auckland based Aiswarya Entertainments Limited, promises to be a cultural extravaganza, with the participation of a cross-section of the country’s cosmopolitan population.
In fact, ‘Taj Mahal’ would purport to be an epitome of universal goodwill and understanding and human solidarity.
To millions of people around the world who set their eyes upon the magnificent edifice in Agra near Delhi, Taj Mahal evokes a host of emotions and thoughts. It is at once an architectural marvel that bespeaks the engineering excellence unknown to the rest of the world in the 17th Century; a romantic story set in marble epitomising eternal love; a unique setting that invokes the softer, inner self in men and women; and a perfect landscape for picture postcards, earning endless amount of dollars to tourism companies, travel agencies and tour operators all over the world.
Tickets for the show can be purchased online www.buytickets.co.nz; For group bookings of 20 or more tickets, concessions for children under five years of age and elders, please contact Sasi Nambissan on 021-797573.
Listeners of Radio Tarana and Newstalk ZB will have opportunities to win complimentary tickets for the show, if they are successful in their on-the-air competition being run as a part of the advertisement campaign.
The challenges
Aiswarya Entertainments Limited directors Sasi Nambissan and Dr Rita Sasidharan, who are coping with a number of challenges including those posed by sponsors, logistics and others, are justifiably excited about the Dance Drama.
“We have successfully overcome a number of issues and have not spared efforts or money to make ‘Taj Mahal’ a memorable event. We have engaged the services of dance master, choreographer and director Narsing Rao of ‘Nrityanjali Academy’ of Hyderabad in India. His experience and expertise are reflected in every scene and his musical score will be among the highlights of the programme,” they said.
Beginning with the narration of a foreign tourist (played by Gareth Rivalland) in Agra, ‘Taj Mahal’ would take the spectators back to a golden era of Mughal India, which was blessed by benevolent rulers, among who was Shah Jahan, an Emperor with a vision and sense of purpose. However, the sudden death of his wife Mumtaz submerged him in grief and it was his decision to create an edifice that reflected his love for her that led to the construction of Taj Mahal.
Mr Nambissan said that understanding the emotional aspect of the great Emperor and creating the appropriate environment were the initial challenges that he encountered.
Lead characters
“We were extremely pleased with the choice of Siddharth Krishnamoorthy and Natasha Trilokekar to play the lead roles of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz and Roji Varghese as the Villain. They have given their best in recreating history. In fact, every artiste and professional involved with the show has exemplified their role,” he said.
Dr Sasidharan said that the decision to engage Shameer Sha, a graphic designer and animation artist from India has proved to be valuable.
“He has provided backdrops and 3D designs for the show, along with sound and light effects by Vangent Productions. He has been a source of encouragement for all of us,” she said.
