Light and Sound show revived to draw tourists to Agra

AGRA - If Delhi is all geared up for Commonwealth Games 2010, so is Agra, the city of Taj in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Anticipating a large number tourists visiting India from different parts of the world for the Games, Uttar Pradesh’s State Department of Tourism has decided to revive the ‘light and sound’ show’ near Agra Fort. bout 70 artistes from different parts of the country on Sunday participated in the show here in the city of Taj Mahal.

Organized to promote Indian culture as well as the Agra city that houses one of the seven wonders of the world-Taj Mahal-the 80-minute light and sound show was a major success among the tourists who witnessed it.

The show titled ‘Mohabbat-e-Taj’ meaning love of Taj was an initiative of the State Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh.

“When we go to foreign countries, we see live shows. Why shouldn’t we do something to promote the Indian culture, which is already popular in the world? And so we have organized this show named ‘Mohabbat-e- Taj’. We are sure the show will attract three times the tourists,” said Amit Jain, organizer of the show.

The show featured the love story of erstwhile Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his third queen Arjumand, known to the world by her title Mumtaz Mahal, with a replica of the Taj created by 28 craftsmen and designers, and weighing 8,250 kg, being in the backdrop.

Keeping the diversity of the audience in mind, the organizers of the show provided audio aids at every seat to enable foreign tourists listen to the translated dialogues of the play in their respective language.he organizers have promised to offer the translations in 40 languages during the Commonwealth Games.

“Tourists, who stay back for the night, do not feel like missing the show. Itineraries are being planned accordingly. Last year we saw 20 percent increase in the inflow of tourists for the night stay,” Jain added.

The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a symbol of his enduring love for his wife attracts millions of tourists every year.

The edifice that took 17 years to construct by over 20,000 workers is one of the seven wonders of the world. By Brijesh Kr. Singh (ANI)